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."