Authorities studying if Agusan hostage-takers' demand could be granted

Authorities on Tuesday said they were already finding ways to expedite the resolution of the cases against jailed Ondo Perez and some members of his group, whose supporters have taken more than a dozen people hostage in Agusan del Sur in exchange for his release. Major Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesperson for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, admitted the have little control over the case of Ondo because only the courts have the final say on the matter. Just the same, Osias at a press conference on Tuesday said a legal team has already been formed to determine if Ondo could be released without violating any law. "The committee of municipal [government] is reviewing the pending cases of the group. This will help us [determine] how can we expedite the process. This is a proof that the justice system is effectively functioning," he said. But Senior Superintendent Nestor Fajura, head of the crisis management team, stressed that they did not want to rush things because it might only compromise the safety of the hostages. "Ang legal [aspect], wala pang framework na natapos. Ayaw namin mag release ng premature na detalye dahil ito ang meat [of the matter]," he said. "Sa negotiations kasi, hindi kailangan mabilisan. Ang kailangan, basta na-assure tayo na walang nangyari, bukas po ang line ng dalawang partido," he added.

Ondo was earlier arrested and slapped with multiple murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the deaths of members of his rival group led by Joel Tubay. Last Friday, Ondo's nephew, Ken-Ken Perez, led a group of Manobo tribesmen in holding hostage at least 16 people, mostly teachers and two students, from a primary school in Prosperidad town. On Sunday, two hostages were freed to get food for the the other victims, while a third victim, a male teenager, was released Monday. Medical personnel and psychologists have already attended to the teenager to help him cope with the incident. Fajura said intelligence operations around the area had been intensified, but admitted they were taking extra precaution to prevent putting more pressure on the hostage-takers and their victims. "Hindi ganoon kadali gumalaw kasi bina-balancing act pa namin na baka ma-stress ang hostage takers. We would have rather our movements calculated but giving premium sa safety ng ating mga hostages," he said. Fajura also assured the public that the hostages were all safe as evidenced by a photograph showing the hostages were not tied up or restricted. Fajura said negotiations are still on going and is focused on convincing the hostage-takers for the release of all remaining hostages. "Hangga’t may gahiblang pag-asa, makikiusap po kami. That will be the context of this negotiation," he said. Meanwhile, Prosperidad Mayor Albin Magdamit said he has no plans of declaring a state of calamity in the town despite the hostage-taking crisis. — LBG, GMA News