Basilan officials ready to go all out against kidnappers

Basilan: A local chief executive of southern Basilan island has ordered an all-out offensive against kidnappers holding a Sri Lankan peace worker, three teachers and a young boy.

Basilan Governor Jum Akbar told Gulf News she has created a trusted group to continue negotiating for the unconditional release of five kidnap victims.

"We are using a carrot and stick approach in dealing with the hostage problem in Basilan," said Akbar. "I don't want Basilan to be tagged as a haven of kidnappers in the southern Philippines."

The Abu Sayyaf group which has active link with the Jemaah Islamiyah, the southeast Asian conduit of the Al Qaida network is holding Omar Jaleel, the Sri Lankan peace advocate abducted last Friday by nine armed men, said Akbar.

Three teachers - Freires Quizon, Janette de los Reyes, and Rafael Mayonado - were kidnapped at sea off Sacol Island, Zamboanga City on January 25. They were brought to nearby Basilan Island.

Leah Laping, a money lending worker, was kidnapped in Sumisip, Basilan on February 4. Chester Gruta, 9, was kidnapped in Lamitan, Basilan on January 31.

In all, 13 people were kidnapped in Jolo, Basilan, and Zamboanga from December 8, 2008 to February 4, 2009. Four were released or have escaped as of February 10, 2009.

High-profile kidnap victims included aid workers Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Jean Lacaba of the International Committee of the Red Cross.