Abu Sayyaf extends deadline; ransom alternatives explored

(Updated 12:50 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - The deadline for the delivery of the P15-million ransom for the release of the three remaining hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf has been "extended," although it was not clear whether negotiators are working on a new timeframe for the release of the captives. QTV's Balitanghali reported that Jun Isnaji, son of Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji who was handpicked by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate for the hostages' release, said the abductors agreed not to push through with threats to execute the victims if the ransom is not delivered by noon Tuesday. The younger Isnaji said negotiators communicated to the Abu Sayyaf difficulties in meeting the group's ransom demand, citing the government's no-ransom policy. Instead, negotiators proposed that development and livelihood projects will be poured in the region. "We came upon with a new idea. We told them that the government will never deliver ransom to them because this is contrary to our policy... We try to divert their attention from the ransom. (We proposed to) provide development projects, livelihood," Isnaji said. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding captive broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon, her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo who were abducted last June 8. In the interview, Isnaji said he was able to talk with Drilon earlier in the day and said the broadcast journalist sounded "O.K." Later in the conversation, however, Isnaji said Drilon broke into tears saying she is hoping that the ordeal would end "in the next few hours or in the next few days." "O.K. naman si Ces, O.K. naman boses niya. Later umiiyak siya, sabi ni Ces: 'I hope in the next few hours or in the next few days ay matapos na itong lahat so we can go home,'" Isnaji said. In a radio interview, Isnaji said he has been in touch with the captors since 6:15 a.m., adding that the Abu Sayyaf originally threatened to execute the hostages by 2 p.m. if ransom is not paid by noon. However, the abductors agreed not to continue with their plans to execute the hostages and continue with the talks. Isnaji said the abductors have identified a new deadline for the demands, and that talks are ongoing. “Hindi sila nagsasabi hanggang kailan dahil ongoing pa yung negotiation namin (They didn’t say until when the extension will be because our negotiations are still on-going)," said Isnaji, when asked when the deadline was moved. “But they will not do anything hanggang 2 p.m. (But they will not do anything until 2 p.m.)," he added. In a separate interview with dzBB radio, Isnaji said the Abu Sayyaf promised not to harm any of the captives while talks are underway. "Under negotiation pa tayo ngayon. Nangako sila na hindi sasaktan (ang mga hostage) hangga't nag-uusap pa tayo... Ang sabi nila nagmi-meeting pa sila dahil sabi ko maybe you could come out with some proposal besides the money that we cannot deliver," Isnaji said. "Extension? Hindi ko masasabi hanggang kailan dahil ongoing ang negotiation. Ang sabi nila, they will not do anything hanggang two o'clock dahil nagme-meeting pa tayo," he added. - GMANews.TV