Release of journalists delayed
2000-09-10 11:20
Jolo - Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines have scrapped plans to
immediately free two French journalists following the release of
four European hostages a day earlier, a senior negotiator said
on Sunday.
The Abu Sayyaf were busy trying to sort out internal problems after
a bloody gun battle over a ransom spoils dispute that left more
than half a dozen dead and 20 others injured on Saturday.
"No release today. No release tomorrow," Aventajado told reporters
in nearby Zamboanga city before flying to central Cebu city, where
he was to meet up with the Frenchman, a German and two Finns freed
on Saturday by the group.
Aventajado spent 12 hours from late Saturday in telephone talks
with Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang, also known as Commander Robot,
but failed to win the freedom of France 2 television cameraman
Jean-Jacques le Garrec and soundman Roland Madura.
The negotiator was expected to update French diplomats on Sunday on
the fate of their remaining nationals in captivity in southern Jolo
island.
Aventajado said he and Andang "have agreed not to do any operation
today or tomorrow to work out the release of the remaining French
journalists."
"We agreed that it might be unsafe for them because of the current
situation in the area. We agreed to talk again the day after
tomorrow (to discuss) when we can finally receive the remaining
French journalists," he said.
Aventajado said Andang was still grieving over the death of his men
in a gunbattle with a rival faction which ambushed them shortly
before they released the four Europeans on Saturday.
The faction was reportedly disgruntled over the sharing of ransom
money allegedly received by the group from Libya, which has denied
paying money but promised millions of dollars in "development aid"
to Muslim areas in the south.
More than a dozen Abu Sayyaf members from both sides were
reportedly killed in the fighting.
Aventajado would not give a specific time-frame for the Frenchmen's
release, telling reporters "we will just probably surprise you when
we already have the two."
Andang "has to take care of his problems first" before releasing
the two Frenchmen to ensure his group's safety. "It might be
dangerous if (we) take too much risk," he said.
Under a "global agreement" brokered by Libya, the two were to have
been freed on Saturday along with the four other Europeans who were
among the Abu Sayyaf's 21 original hostages snatched from a
Malaysian resort in April.
The "ambush disrupted the whole plan," Aventajado said, adding that
Andang was still in a "state of agitation."
Only one Filipino hostage from the Sipadan group remains with the
Abu Sayyaf, although Andang's group also holds 15 other Filipinos
while another faction has an American captive, Jeffrey Schilling.
Sources familiar with the rebels in Jolo said Andang was reportedly
hatching a plan to avenge the death of his men, a possibility that
could lead to further escalation of violence and endanger the lives
of the French newsmen.
Aventajado said he would maintain contact with Andang through
satellite phone, but that government emissaries had been instructed
to take a rest and visit their families during the lull.
Meanwhile, the four freed hostages on Sunday relished their first
full day of liberty.
They were being put up at the Shangri La Mactan Island Resort in
Cebu city, as they awaited the arrival of a Libyan chartered
airplane that would take them home, via Tripoli.
Aventajado said he would confer with French diplomats and Libyan
mediator Rajab Azzarouq, both of whom would decide whether the four
will fly to Libya without waiting for the two French reporters.
- Sapa-AFP
- SAPA