U.S. 'facilitated ransom' to free hostages

Washington facilitated a $300,000 ransom payment to the Filipino Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the release of a U.S. couple kidnapped 10 months ago, The Washington Times said yesterday.

The money - which sources said came from a private organisation - was delivered through a third party before Easter, but as of Wednesday there were no signs that U.S. missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham had been released, two unnamed senior U.S. officials told the daily.

The decision to make the secret, indirect payment was opposed by the Pentagon but backed by the State Department, the officials said.

The State Department thought it could save the couple's lives and maybe lead to the capture of senior members of the Abu Sayyaf.

"The decision was made over Pentagon objections," said one senior administration official. "It was essentially State and the National Security Council deciding to do it. The bad guys got the money and we don't have the hostages."

Following the U.S. war on the Saudi-led Al Qaida terrorist network in Afghanistan, the United States late last year sent 600 military personnel to the Philippines to train and advise local armed forces in their fight against Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who are linked to Al Qaida.

The Philippine government has denied the ransom report and a State Department spokeswoman referred the daily to a statement made late last month by spokesman Richard Boucher, who refused to comment on rumours that might compromise the U.S. couple's release.

Also in late March, Fox News Channel reported that Washington had arranged a $3 million payment for the release of the Burnhams, but the officials consulted by The Washington Times said the correct amount was $300,000.

Outgoing Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao issued a strong warning yesterday that influential families in Basilan who might be sheltering members of the Abu Sayyaf will be charged in court if their support can be proved.

"We will charge them, even expose them if they are really aiding the Abu Sayyaf," said Tiglao. This information, he confessed, was part of a "raw intelligence report" that was being verified. Basilan Governor Wahab Akbar is also coordinating with the military to firm up an ongoing investigation.

Some families in Basilan have been supporting the Abu Sayyaf, which is why the military is having a hard time crushing the group, said Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva. He insisted that Tuburan Mayor, Dorie Kalahal, has been hiding Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya, whose real name is Aldam Tilao, in Basilan.

Meanwhile, American hostages Gracia and Martin Burnham and Filipino hostage Deborah Yap were spotted anew near a jungle camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan, government sources said yesterday.

"We got the report from several villagers in Tipo-Tipo, who swore they saw the two Caucasians and the Filipino woman in the company of Abu Sayyaf and MILF rebels. The hostages even bathed in the river," said the official.

But they were heavily guarded by dozens of gunmen, led by Abu Sabaya and MILF provincial commander Hamza Zapanton, the source added.

MILF regional chairman, Ustadz Shariff Julabbi, however, denied this, saying: "We are not sheltering the Abu Sayyaf, and the MILF is not in any way connected with that group." The military's Southern Command earlier linked the MILF to the Abu Sayyaf, both of which have camps in Zamboanga and Jolo.

"Not only are they aiding the terrorist group, the MILF is also providing sanctuary to the kidnappers and this explains why the troops have difficulty tracking down the Abu Sayyaf and the hostages in Basilan," said southern command spokesman Maj. Noel Detoyato.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF. Despite a cease-fire agreement signed by both sides, sporadic clashes between them continue. Both are accusing each other of truce violation.

In a related development, government security forces clashed with members of the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro National Liberation Front in Patikul, Jolo island last Tuesday, said Army commander Col Romeo Tolentino, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade.