Ces Drilon Released
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UPDATE 06/17/08 10:39am Philippines Time -Ces Drilon and Her Crew Released
Kidnapped television reporter Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo were freed late Tuesday night, nine days after they were abducted in Sulu province.
Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon confirmed the hostages were released at around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
“They were picked up by Jun Isnaji and secured by four policemen at Sitio Danasi, lower Sinumaan, Talipao, Sulo and brought to the house of Mayor Alvarez Isnaji,” Razon related in a text message. Jun Isnaji is Haider Isnaji, the mayor’s son.
“Ces Drilon and company are in good condition but they will immediately be given medical attention and appropriate nutrition. A plan for airlift to Zamboanga, and a reunion with family are also being considered,” said Razon.
He said the three will have to first undergo a debriefing in Zamboanga City before they are flown back to
UPDATE 06/17/08 10:30pm Philippines Time - Ces Drilon and Crew To Be Released Within 24 Hours
Director General Avelino Razon has claimed television reporter Ces Drilon and two companions held hostage by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf will be released “within 24 hours.”
UPDATE 06/17/08 10:35am Philippines Time - Ces Drilon Kidnappers Extend Deadline Indefinitely
Deadline Indefinitely’
Kidnappers of a television news team extended “indefinitely” the deadline for the release of their hostages, according to the son of one of the negotiators.
In a press conference in Sulu aired live on radio Tuesday, minutes before the noon deadline for payment of a P15 million ransom expired, Jun Isnaji, son of Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, said the abductors assured his father that they would not harm ABS-CBN’s Ces Drilon, her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, and Octavio Dinampo, Mindanao State University professor.
The young Isnaji said ransom was not discussed during the negotiations but that the captors asked for livelihood projects in exchange for the release of Drilon and company.
The kidnappers had threatened to behead their hostages, admitted Isnaji but added that they would no longer carry this out.
He said they have been talking with the abductors since about 6 a.m. Tuesday.
UPDATE 06/17/08 10:25am Philippines Time - Ces Drilon Kidnappers Cut-off Contact With Negotiators
Islamic militants holding a television presenter hostage in the southern Philippines cut off all contact hours before a Tuesday ransom deadline expired, a negotiator said.
Alvarez Isnaji said he was working to secure safe passage from authorities for an emissary to try to reach the kidnappers of ABS-CBN network host Cecilia “Ces” Drilon, 46, and her two colleagues before the noon (0400 GMT) deadline.
The Abu Sayyaf gunmen are believed to have given Drilon’s family until that time to pay a ransom thought to be about 1.12 million dollars.
“I have been trying to get in touch with them since yesterday,” Isnaji told DZBB radio in Manila. “I have sent them (mobile phone) text messages hoping that they would reply, but they have not.”
Isnaji said the kidnappers told him during their last telephone contact early Monday: “If our deadline does not produce a result we will implement our policy regarding the hostages.”
Isnaji did not elaborate. He said Monday that the kidnappers had threatened to harm the hostages if the ransom was not paid by Tuesday.
The negotiator said he also spoke with Drilon on Monday, when the broadcaster told him the gunmen were tying up the male hostages with rope.
“They are tying up Jimmy and the professor,” he quoted her as saying.
UPDATE 06/17/08 10:16am Philippines Time - Ces Drilon Kidnappers Demand P15M By Noon Tuesday
Moro kidnappers tied up a tearful Ces Drilon and her cameraman and set a noon deadline Tuesday for the delivery of P15 million in cash ransom, a negotiator said Monday.
“Mayor, I want to get out of here,” Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji quoted the 46-year-old Drilon as telling him. The ABS-CBN broadcast journalist is being held in a forested area on Jolo island, together with cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University Prof. Octavio Dinampo.
Isnaji said the Moro bandits announced their ultimatum after they saw Marines approaching on Saturday. The kidnappers repeated the deadline on Sunday and Monday.
“Early this morning, they called again, as did Ces,” said Isnaji, who has been negotiating the release of the three hostages. “The kidnappers took a strong position and said that their ultimatum is only up to noon (Tuesday).”
The mayor said that Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo were “tied up again” and that their situation “was not good.” Philippine Daily Inquirer reporters in Zamboanga spoke by telephone with Isnaji, who was in Indanan.
Isnaji said he talked to Drilon, whom he described as being “tearful” in an interview with The Associated Press. He said Drilon had told him she wanted to get out of the kidnappers’ lair, according to AP.
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UPDATE 06/17/08 10:00 Philippines Time - Government Okays $500,000 Bounty For Ces Drilon Kidnappers
The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday approved the recommendation to put up a P500,000-bounty each for the alleged kidnappers of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dinampo.
The Philippine National Police identified two of the suspects as Sulayman Patta alias Amah Ma’as and Abu Haris and Walid alias Tuan Wals, according to an initial report. The other kidnappers have not yet been identified.
Earlier, a local official acting as an emissary said the kidnappers have asked for a P15-million ransom, which they want delivered by Tuesday noon, according to an emissary.
The emissary, Alvarez Isnaji, mayor of the town of Indanan, Sulu, told reporters in Sulu the kidnappers set Tuesday as the deadline for the P15 million ransom for Drilon, ABS-CBN Encarnacion and Dinampo of the Mindanao State Univerisity.
UPDATE: 06/16/08 - Palace Warns Not To Take Demands Lightly
Malacañang on Monday stood firm on its no-ransom policy even as it acknowledged that the ultimatum set by the kidnappers of broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and two companions should not be taken lightly.
“The no ransom policy of the government stands. It doesn’t change,” incoming Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said at a press briefing in the Palace.
Indanan town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who has been negotiating for the safe release of the victims, said Drilon, a television reporter for the ABS-CBN network, called at around 8:30 a.m. Monday, relaying the abductors’ demand.
Another cameraman, Angelo Valderama, was freed on June 12 after the kidnappers were paid P100,000.
“I have direct contact with some people in Sulu and, evidently, it’s confirmed there is demand for ransom. We don’t wish to entertain this as far as government is concerned” Dueza said.
Although saying it was saddened by the kidnappers’ deadline, ABS-CBN says it is also maintaining a no-ransom policy. Dureza thanked the network for taking the position.
However, Dureza said the Abu Sayyaf’s “long record of atrocities” means their ultimatum should not be taken lightly.
“I’m not so sure about whether I know exactly what’s in the minds of these terrorists but the ultimatum is something we should not take lightly,” he said.
“They have a long record of atrocities and everybody knows this so we take that into heart and we hope Ces and the group that are still being held there will be able to return home safely,” he added.
UPDATE: 06/16/08 - Ces Drilon Kidnappers Set Tuesday Deadline
Muslim extremists who abducted a broadcaster and her crew in the Philippines have set a deadline of Tuesday for delivery of a million-dollar ransom, a negotiator said Monday.
The ultimatum came after troops shelled a forested area on the southern island of Jolo where the extremists are holding the three, injuring a woman living in the area, officials said.
They have since made contact with Drilon’s family and given them until Tuesday to come up with a ransom, thought to be about 1.12 million dollars, for her safe release, negotiator Isnaji Alvarez said.
He said he had asked the military to stop shelling so negotiations could continue.
UPDATE: 06/15/08 - Philippine Troops Seen Moving Into Area Where Ces Drilon Thought To Be Held
Heavily armed troops began moving into a forested area in the southern Philippines where Muslim extremists are holding a broadcaster and her crew hostage, an AFP reporter said Sunday.
Truckloads of troops began moving from a military base on the island of Jolo just before dawn, following a barrage of cannon fire that shook the area.
Military officials have imposed a news blackout on the hostage-taking, which is entering its second week, and would not comment. But President Gloria Arroyo has ordered police and military forces to rescue all the hostages.
Abu Sayyaf militants are holding ABS-CBN television journalist Ces Drilon, 46, her assistant cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, and university professor Octavio Dinampo.
The three, along with Angelo Valderama, Drilon’s cameraman, were kidnapped on June 8 while on their way to a secret meeting with senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.
The abductors freed Valderama on June 12 after a ransom of 100,000 pesos (about 2,250 dollars) was paid.
The kidnappers are said to be demanding as much as 50 million pesos (1.13 million dollars) for the release of their remaining captives.
Drilon’s family issued an appeal Saturday for their safe release.
“We are not giving up even on the people who continue to hold Ces and Jimmy captive. We have already tried our very best to have them released,” the family said.
The police chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said Sunday negotiations for the release of the hostages were continuing.
Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao denied some news reports saying communication between the abductors and the negotiators has been cut off.
“There is still a line of communication on both sides,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”
UPDATE June 14th, 2008 - Contact With Kidnappers Not Cut Off - ARMM Police Chief
Negotiations for the release of the two remaining ABS-CBN journalists and their professor-guide are continuing, and communication between the abductors and the negotiators has not been cut off, according to the regional police chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In an interview with Vice-President Noli de Castro over his weekly dzMM radio program, Para sa ‘Yo, Bayan, ARMM regional police chief Joel Goltiao belied news reports saying that the kidnap-for-ransom group had cut off communications with negotiators led by Sulu Governor Sakur Tan.
Asked about these reports, Goltiao said, “No. There is still a line of communication on both sides. [Indanan] Mayor [Alvarez] Isnaji has a line of communication. That’s all I can say.”
Goltiao said Isnaji had been picked by the kidnappers to be one of the negotiators. The negotiating team is led by Tan and Sulu Vice-Governor Hadja Nur Ana Sahidullah.
He said the freed ABS-CBN News cameraman, Angelo Valderama, has informed them that ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, and their guide Prof. Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University are “okay”
“Okay naman sila Ces Drilon. Yun lang, may feeling of constraint kaya low morale sila sa loob (Ces Drilon and company are okay. It’s just the feeling of constraint, which is why they have low morale),” Goltiao told De Castro.
Goltiao said Valderama will be brought to Manila either Saturday or Sunday. He was given time to sleep and rest Friday, he said.
Cameraman Kidnapped With Ces Drilon Released See Ces Drilon Kidnapping Original Post
A cameraman in a three-member television team kidnapped in the southern Philippines has been freed and there is a good chance the other two will be released on Friday, officials said.
The team from the ABS-CBN network, the largest in the Philippines, went missing on the island of Jolo on Sunday. Islamic Abu Sayyaf militants, notorious for kidnapping for ransom, are based in the interior of the rugged island.
Elders on Jolo have been negotiating with the kidnappers to free the captives, newspapers have said.
“The negotiations are going on smoothly and we expect that the remaining hostages will be freed today,” national police chief Avelino Razon said in a radio interview on Friday.
Cameraman Angelo Valderama was freed into the custody of a local mayor on Thursday night, officials and news reports said. He was in good spirits and undergoing medical checks, they said.
Ces Drilon, one of the country’s top TV reporters, and another cameraman remain in custody. Also being held is a local university professor who was with the TV team.
ABS-CBN has said no ransom will be paid but newspapers said “board and lodging fees” were being discussed.
The families of the remaining captives issued a statement on Friday appealing to the gunmen holding the TV crew to release the reporter and her cameraman “as an act of compassion and humanity”.
“We, the families of Ces Drilon and Jimmy Encarnacion, are happy and deeply relieved that Angelo has been freed,” they said in a statement.
Ces Drilon Cried For Help During Phone Call
Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidula said Thursday she was able to talk with ABS-CBN newscaster Ces Oreña Drilon who has been held captive by an armed group believed to be Abu Sayyaf militants since Sunday.
Sahidula told GMA News that Drilon cried for help when the newscaster reached her via phone.
The GMA News interview on Sahidula was aired on late newscast Saksi early Friday.
The vice governor said Drilon sounded frightened during their phone conversation that took place Wednesday.
A GMA News source, who is involved in the negotiation for the release of Drilons group, said the ABS-CBN newscaster was with Prof. Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University. Drilons crewmen were being held separately by the captors. On Thursday night, Drilons assistant cameraman, Angelo Valderama, was released.
Source
Ces Drilon Driver Claims Group Abducted By Military Agent
The hired driver of television reporter Ces Drilon and her crew has claimed to police that a known “military agent” and not members of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group abducted the ABS-CBN team, the Sulu police chief said Thursday.
Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police director, said driver Maramma Hasim, the man hired by Drilon and her team to chauffer for them in Maimbung on the day of their disappearance, claimed that one Juamil “Maming” Biyaw was the “missing link” to knowing who was behind the abduction.
Biyaw, a resident of the village of Sandah in Patikul town, is known in Sulu as a military agent, Kasim said.
Kasim said Hashim, who is now in police custody, claimed Biyaw was with the group Sunday when Drilon, cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and their guide, Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampong went to Maimbung.
They went missing after an armed group reportedly intercepted them along Kulasi, town of Maimbung while on their way to meet Abu Sayyaf leaders “to cover a special event.”
Quoting Hashim, Kasim said Biyaw ordered the driver to stop somewhere in the village of Labbah at around noon Sunday.
“The passengers, including Madame Ces, thought there was problem with the car,” Kasim quoted Hashim’s account.
“All the passengers casually went down from the vehicle and this Biyaw guy invited the four to join him in a walk towards Mount Mabusing (interior of Labbah). So there was no scuffle. Madame Ces and the rest walked casually,” Kasim added.
Hashim was reportedly surprised when the five left him on the highway.
“But he waited until 4 p.m. and this Biyaw returned alone instructing the driver to leave the place. The driver, apparently disturbed, followed the orders,” Kasim added.
“Because of fear, the driver didn’t even show up readily and he is now in our custody. Right now, we are looking for this Biyaw and we are checking further his background and how close he is with the military as he being reported as an agent,” Kasim said.
But Kasim admitted he was “a bit confused” by the different information he has been receiving the past days.
“He (Hashim) gave information that runs counter to what our Maimbung police earlier supplied,” he said.
Source
Ces Drilon Kidnappers Triple Ransom Demand
Islamist militants on Thursday raised their ransom demand for the release of three journalists kidnapped in the southern Philippines on Sunday to 30 million pesos (Dh2.4 million), a radio report said.
The ransom for each captive had been increased to 10 million pesos, said the report, which did not name a source.
The kidnappers had initially sought a ransom of 10 million pesos for all the journalists. That demand was made on Monday after they released Julie Jura, the driver and owner of the vehicle that brought Ces Drilon, cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama of ABS CBN, and Professor Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University to Labbah village, in Maimbung, Sulu, to interview leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the Southeast Asian conduit of the Al Qaida
i don’t understand why a news blackout is necessary. is it because drilon is an employee of one of the biggest companies in the philippines? is that how powerful the lopezes are? if so, then i am more sorry for our country than ever. they take command over everything.
to make myself explicit, this is a tragedy. kidnapping has always been a tragedy. and i feel for ces drilon and her crew. i feel for their anxious families.
but how are their lives more important than those priests, children and everybody else that are kidnapped here in the philippines? remember reverend bossi? wasn’t his case made VERY public in 2007, especially by abs-cbn???
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