Thousands join RP kidnappers in Jolo

Thousands join RP kidnappers in Jolo

JOLO, Philippines (AFP): Thousands are joining the Abu Sayyaf
kidnappers in the southern Philippines lured by dreams of instant
riches from huge ransoms the Muslim group has sought for some of
its mostly foreign hostages, officials said on Thursday.

Abu Sayyaf ranks have swelled at least ten-fold to 3,000 since
the start of the hostage crisis in April and recruitment was
"ongoing", said Colonel Romeo Tolentino, commander of a military
task force in Jolo.

Other intelligence sources said local armed groups were
offering their services to the Abu Sayyaf, who are US$5.5 million
richer 110 days into the crisis according to military estimates.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said this week that the Abu
Sayyaf has spent part of the ransom to build up its arsenal.
The gunmen have freed a number of hostages including two Germans
and six Malaysians, but they continue to hold more than a dozen
others including five French citizens, a Franco-Lebanese, three
Malaysians, two Finns, two Germans and two South Africans.

Meanwhile a dozen Filipino Christian preachers who visited the
Abu Sayyaf jungle hideout on July 1 to "pray over" the hostages
are expected to return home later on Thursday after completing a
40-day fast, according to a local politician who helped the group
gain entry into the Abu Sayyaf jungle camp.

Lebanon announced this week that it has accepted a Libyan
offer to redeem the remaining hostages for $25 million, though
Libyan representatives sent here to mediate between the Manila
government and the Abu Sayyaf have denied such an offer has been
tabled.

After initial denials, President Joseph Estrada's government
also concedes money had changed hands but that the ransoms were
paid by other parties over whom it has no control.

Intelligence sources said hired guns who helped the Abu Sayyaf
transport and guard the hostages have been paid sums ranging from
40,000-100,000 pesos ($889-$2,222).

The crisis began across the border in Malaysia on April 23
when a small group of Jolo-based Abu Sayyaf gunmen raided the
dive resort of Sipadan on the Celebes Sea and kidnapped 21
western tourists and Asian resort workers.

The ranks of the hostages later swelled with the gunmen also
detaining local and foreign journalists sent to Jolo to cover the
crisis. Among the remaining captives are a three-member French
television crew.

Manila, insisting it is sticking to a no-ransom policy, has
asked Malaysia to finance certain "livelihood" projects in Jolo,
one of the country's poorest areas, to induce the Abu Sayyaf to
free the Malaysian and Filipino captives.

Chief Philippine government negotiator Roberto Aventajado said
in a radio interview Thursday that he expected an emissary to
report to him during the day "so that we can close the deal and
implement it" regarding the Malaysian hostages. He did not
elaborate.

"We will surprise you" with the release of the westerners
within the next two weeks, he said, reiterating an earlier
timetable.

Aventajado also lashed out at domestic critics who accused him
of intentionally prolonging the crisis to build up his own
political stature.

"Those who are saying that are effectively questioning my
allegiance to the Philippines," he charged.

"We all know that this problem is giving our country a
negative image. The economy is affected, and is causing our
president embarrassment. Investors are staying away."