Suspected Abu bandits free TV reporter, 2 others in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits released television reporter Cecilia Victoria “Ces" Drilon and two others in the village of Kagay, in the town of Talipao, Sulu, a few minutes past midnight Wednesday. Director General Avelino Razon Jr, Philippine National Police chief, confirmed the release of the hostages. He said Drilon and her companions were in good physical condition and were brought to the house of the mayor of Indanan for a medical check-up. "Nandoon po sila sa sa bahay ni [Indanan] Mayor [Alvarez] Isnaji," Razon said in a radio interview. He said Drilon and her companions will be brought to Zamboanga City where they will undergo a thorough medical check and debriefing. Sources in Sulu said ransom was not paid but the kidnappers were promised to be given livelihood assistance. "ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Oreña Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion were released by their abductors in Sulu province Tuesday night," ABS-CBN said in a statement read over a television broadcast. ABS-CBN statement ABS-CBN Network in a statement expressed its gratitude in the release of its news team. “Ces, Jimmy, and Angelo are finally all free. We cannot wait to bring them home to their families and to ABS-CBN," the network said in a statement released shortly after the release. Encarnacion was the team’s cameraman while Valderama, who was released June 12, was the driver. The team’s guide, Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo, was released along with Drilon and Encarnacion. “We are thankful that our prayers have been answered and our efforts rewarded. We thank everyone who helped secure the release of Ces, Jimmy, and Angelo. We received a great outpouring of support from people all over the world who care for freedom. Their words of comfort and prayers guided and strengthened us throughout this ordeal," ABS-CBN said. The network also said some of those who helped in the release requested to remain anonymous. “But they know how eternally grateful we are to them," it said. The network said the release of the hostages could not have been possible without the cooperation of the people of Sulu and their local government. No ransom The bandits seized Drilon, her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama and university professor Octavio Dinampo on June 8. Valderama was released June 12 reportedly after the bandits received P2 million for “board and lodging." Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who was selected by the bandits to negotiate for the release of the hostages, however, said he only paid "several thousands" of pesos. The kidnappers later demanded a P15-million ransom for the release of the remaining hostages. The kidnappers set a Tuesday noon deadline for the ransom money to be delivered, but extended it indefinitely, said Gafur Kanain, an aide of Isnaji. Held in caves Drilon was believed to be held in caves in the jungle of Mount Tumatangis in Indanan town, but military intelligence reports said the bandits have been constantly moving from one hideout to another in nearby towns of Talipao and Maimbung to avoid detection by the military. ABS-CBN Network, where Drilon and her crew are employed, repeatedly said it would not pay ransom for the release of its employees. Drilon's group was seized June 8 in the town of Maimbung while on their way to meet with Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, whose group is believed to be holding the hostages. Aside from Sahiron, the military and police also tagged Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail and Umbra Jumdail in the kidnappings along with two others who were identified only as Walid alias Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, head of the local crisis management committee, earlier appealed to negotiators not to pay ransom. Preparing for attack? Military tanks and trucks transporting government soldiers were seen earlier in Jolo town. It was not known if they were preparing to mount an attack. Troops started firing about a dozen rounds of cannons over the weekend toward the hinterlands of Sulu near where the bandits were believed to be hiding. At least 15 people were reported hurt in the shelling and more than a thousand others fled their homes in Indanan town. Authorities had linked the Abu Sayyaf to both the al-Qaeda and Jema'ah Islamiyah networks, which were blamed for the spate of terrorism in the southern Philippines. Washington listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders. US troops were deployed in Sulu province and assisted Philippine forces to hunt for the bandits. - GMANews.TV