Abductors talking directly to Ces Drilon's family - mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Abu Sayyaf members who abducted television news anchor Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon last week are now communicating directly with her family, their "negotiator" said Monday. Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji said Monday his role had been reduced to a "runner" or "courier" of the supposed ransom to be paid for Drilon. "Sabi nila, to my face, hindi, wala na, meron kaming agreement sa pamilya, sorry (They told me to my face, don't make any demands because we have an agreement with Drilon's family. Sorry)," Isnaji said in an interview on dzXL radio. Isnaji said he had wanted to "beg" the abductors to release Drilon soonest as a "humanitarian" gesture, and not to "touch" her. He said he was ready to "kneel" before them. But he said money turned out to be the bottomline for the abductors, who are also holding Drilon's cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dimampo. Last week, the abductors had freed assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama. "Parang lumuluhod ako sa Abu Sayyaf na ito, sa commander na ito, pero hindi pa rin nakikinig sa akin. Ang gusto pala nila pera pala (I was ready to kneel before their commander but they refused to listen to me. The bottom line for them was money)," Isnaji said. He said that while he has not yet been completely bypassed, his role in the "negotiations" had been reduced to that of a runner or courier. Isnaji, initially selected by the Abu Sayyaf as "negotiator," is running in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections this August. "Meron silang direct contact sa pamilya. Yan ang weakness ko, everytime makipag-usap ako sa kanila, sabi nila sorry meron kaming pinagusapan, approved na nila, dadalhin na lang ang pera sa iyo, maghintay ka na lang. Mukhang pushman lang ako rito (They would claim they have direct contact with Drilon's family. That weakened my position. Every time I tried to contact them they would tell me, sorry, we reached a deal with her family. They approved it and will send the money to you so you can bring it to us. So in effect, I'm just a courier here)," he said. On the other hand, Isnaji said he had talked to Drilon's siblings, who he said were crying because they had no money for ransom. He also cited "unverified" reports that Drilon's mother was "very sick" because of worry. He said some of the reports even indicated she suffered a stroke. Isnaji said Drilon herself was crying the last time he talked to her. "Iyak nang iyak nga siya, sabi niya bakit siya pinabayaan doon sa bundok. Ang nanay at pamilya walang wala, meron siyang anak 4 walang mapakain doon (She was crying and saying why she was abandoned in the mountains. She said her family had no money but she has four children to feed)," he said. Isnaji said he has not established communications with ABS-CBN or its officials in Sulu or in Zamboanga City. "Walang kontak, never, negative (We have not established communications at all)," he said. Isnaji said the Abu Sayyaf group that abducted Drilon and company are now younger and "more aggressive." He said they could be the second generation of Abu Sayyaf leaders. - GMANews.TV