World | Philippines
Ransom demanded for TV crew release in Philippines
Kidnappers have demanded a 10-million pesos (Dh19,090) ransom for the release of a TV journalist, two cameramen, and a peace advocate abducted in southern Philippines on June 8, sources said.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:03 June 11, 2008
Manila: Kidnappers have demanded a 10-million pesos (Dh19,090) ransom for the release of a TV journalist, two cameramen, and a peace advocate abducted in southern Philippines on June 8, sources said.
The demand came from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings in Kulasi village of Maimbung town in Sulu island on Monday morning.
The hostages are Octavio Dinampo, president of the Mindanao State University, Ces Drilon of ABS-CBN TV network, Jimmy Encarnacion, cameraman, Angel Valderama, assistant cameraman and driver, said Supt Joel Goltiao, chief of the Philippine National Police of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM).
Peace talks
The victims were kidnapped by Gafur Gumbahali, the officer said.
He is the brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Jumdail Gumbahali, said Jun Mantawil, the head of the peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is engaged in peace talks with the Philippine government.
The MILF formed a special group to look for the whereabouts of the kidnappers and their victims, said Mantawil. An MILF political officer heads the new group, but his name was not released.
President Gloria Arroyo instructed the Armed Forces and the National Police to work for the safe release of the kidnap victims, said Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential spokesperson. "Ms Drilon is a very popular figure in the country," Fajardo said.
Bob Dietz, Asia programme coordinator of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, said yesterday: "We are deeply concerned for the safety of the three [kidnapped] journalists.
It is great cause for concern that this volatile southern region of the Philippines remains insecure for the press. We call on local authorities to work diligently to secure their safe and swift release."
A report said the kidnappers and their victims were seen yesterday in the forested areas of Indanan and Patikul.
Drilon and her colleagues arrived in Jolo on the invitation of Dinampo to cover a special event and to interview an Abu Sayyaf leader, reports said.
With inputs from Ed General and Rafael Juan, Correspondents
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