Razon, Drilon 'kiss, make up' for past dispute

(Updated 8:50 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - After more than seven months since they had disagreements over the Makati siege, National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr and television anchor Cecilia Victoria Drilon had a reconciliation of sorts following her release in Sulu before Tuesday midnight. In an interview on dzBB radio early Wednesday, Razon said Drilon "apologized" for dragging him and several other officials into the mess, while he "reassured" her that helping secure her release was part of the police's job. "Sabi niya pasensya na General, pati ikaw ay nadamay. Sabi ko trabaho lang ito, kami talagang tutulong para sa inyong pagbalik (She told me, General I'm sorry you were dragged into this. I told her, it's no problem, it's our job to ensure your safe return)," Razon said, shortly after accompanying Drilon, cameraman Jim Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dinampa to Zamboanga City for debriefing. Only last November, the two crossed paths after police "arrested" Drilon and other journalists covering the siege of The Peninsula hotel in Makati City. Razon said at the time that the police had to ensure the safety of the public, including journalists covering the incident, but media people accused the police of curtailing press freedom. On Wednesday, Razon said Drilon appeared to "see" (understand) his point. "Hindi namin pinag-usapan ni Ces ‘yan pero ang aking pagkaintindi nalaman niya ang lesson gusto naming impart noong nakaraan ... I think natuto na siya (We did not talk about it but I believe she now sees the point I was trying to make. I think she has learned it)," he said. Meanwhile, Razon said the released hostages will not be presented to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo until their debriefing is completed as he fended off speculations that the release was "timed" for President Arroyo's visit to Mindanao. "Hindi po. Meron tayong proseso dito na ginagawa para ma-check kung sila sa maayos na condition. Ating pinangangalagaan sila. Merong kaunting debriefing na gagawin para sa pagtugis sa kidnapper na gumawa nito (There are no plans as of now to present them to Arroyo. They have to undergo debriefing to help us go after their abductors)," Razon said. President Arroyo is in Mindanao on Wednesday and Thursday for a series of "events," including the merger of the Lakas and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) in Davao City Wednesday afternoon. Razon said that as of 5 a.m., Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo were "treated" to a "delicious" breakfast of congee at a military facility in Zamboanga City. "Kumain ng napakasarap na lugaw matapos isang linggo puro noodles kinain (They had a good breakfast of congee after a week of eating nothing but noodles)," Razon said. - GMANews.TV