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Abu Sayyaf wants something from gov't, Sulu exec says


MANILA, Philippines - Before the release of Red Cross worker Mary Jean Lacaba Thursday night, her abductors said they wanted something apparently from the government, according to Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla. Sahidulla, however, refused to elaborate on what the bandits wanted and only said that Lacaba would be the one to reveal what the bandits asked for. "Nag-usap kami kung ano kailangan nila. Ganon pa din. Gusto lang talaga nila, ah may konting ano sila. Pero alam ko si Jean ang nakakaalam noon kung ano man ang gusto nila," said Sahidulla, to whom Lacaba was handed over by her abductors at about 8:30 p.m. [We talked about what they wanted. It's still the same. They just want to have something. But what I know is that Jean is the one who knows what the bandits wanted.] Lacaba was released on the 77th day of her captivity, two days after Governor Abdusakur Tan declared a state of emergency in Sulu and ordered the arrest of the al Qaeda-linked bandits. Two other Red Cross workers, Swiss Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni, remain in the hands of their abductors. Sahidulla said she did not have any idea that Lacaba would be released when the Abu Sayyaf asked her to meet with them. She said she was just planning to send an emissary to negotiate with the bandits when she went up the mountains on Thursday to talk to the faction of the Abu Sayyaf led by Albader Parad. The vice governor was happy when Lacaba was handed over to her because "it was [Lacaba] who was supposed to beheaded" supposedly after the expiration of the 2 p.m. deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf on Tuesday for the pullout of government forces in Sulu. Sahidulla stressed that no ransom was paid for Lacaba's release. She added that the Abu Sayyaf decided to release Lacaba in their bid to show everyone that they wanted to change and start a new life. - GMANews.TV
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