RP rebels seize three new hostages
RP rebels seize three new hostages
JOLO, Philippines (AFP): Philippine kidnappers appear ready to release some of their 17 hostages, even as they abducted three more Filipinos they plan to use as human shields, sources close to the negotiations said on Wednesday.
Police said members of the extremist group Abu Sayyaf snatched at gunpoint Samuel Ranillano, 40, Renante dela Cruz, 20 and a man identified only as Iking, 51, while the three were hauling sand from the coastal village of Kaunayan in Patikul town on Tuesday.
The three, who are all Christians, are employed by a construction supply shop in Jolo which has concessions to quarry in Kaunayan, the same area where a splinter Abu Sayyaf group earlier snatched two Filipino broadcast journalists.
Police said the gunmen who carried out the fresh abductions are new recruits.
Shop supervisor Abubakar Mandangan said they received a letter written by Ranillano saying they would have to pay an unspecified amount or the three would be killed.
The Abu Sayyaf is also holding at gunpoint two Finns, five French nationals, two Germans, three Malaysians, two Filipinos, two South Africans and a Franco-Lebanese woman and have been engaged in negotiations with the government for release of these hostages.
The rebels had earlier freed six Malaysians, two Germans and five Filipinos, including two Filipino broadcast journalists freed on Saturday.
There had been widespread reports that ransom was paid for these captives.
Sources involved in the negotiations said the new captives could be used by the Abu Sayyaf as "human shields" for an expected military assault once the 17 hostages are freed.
Security was tightened here amid intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf were planning to kidnap more local traders and their children.
"They are hoping that after the release of the foreign hostages, they will still have some protection from military operations," a source said.
The three remaining Malaysians are the next captives lined up for freedom, sources said, adding that chief negotiator Roberto Aventajado was expected to fly to the southern city of Zamboanga soon to oversee their handover.
A chartered Malaysian plane was scheduled to arrive in Zamboanga City, near Jolo, on Thursday and arrangements have been made for it to fly any freed Malaysians direct to Sabah, Malaysia, the sources said.
"None of the Caucasians are coming down, but the Malaysians may walk free as early as tomorrow," said one source who is in contact with the emissaries sent to the jungle hideout of Abu Sayyaf gunmen on the southern island of Jolo.
The sources said Aventajado's emissary was in the gunmen's camp on Wednesday, and that the only thing holding up the Malaysians' release was Manila's insistence that two Filipinos in the group be freed with them.
The five hostages were among the original 21 western tourists and Asian resort workers seized by the rebels from a Malaysian resort, and brought by boat to Jolo on April 23.
After the Malaysians are freed, the negotiators hope to obtain the release of the remaining three foreign female hostages seized from the Malaysian resort -- a Frenchwoman, a South African and a Franco-Lebanese national, sources said.
Aventajado earlier said he was hopeful all 17 hostages are freed in two weeks, with Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang indicating he was ready to begin discussions on what will happen after hostage drama.
The bulk of journalists covering the hostage crisis pulled out of Jolo island during the weekend following intelligence reports the Abu Sayyaf were planning to abduct other local media members.