The Sulu Abduction’s Twists and Turns: Day 5

Written on Friday, June 13th, 2008 at 6:21 am | by Ding G. Gagelonia

There is forward movement in the efforts to resolve the abduction in Sulu with last night’s release of Angelo Valderama, one of the two cameramen of Ces Drilon with the action being euphemistically described as “a gift” from the Abu Sayyaf kidnap men, but with “the negotiators paying 2 million pesos “from their own campaign funds” for Valderama’s “board and lodging fees.”

At this stage of the negotiations, Valderama’s “gift release” is part of what is called ‘confidence-building and ‘good faith’ actions. Not that anyone should really think the Abu Sayyaf ‘can be trusted’ or are ‘rational’ persons.

And from the distance, it cannot be helped if observers will get the impression that “board and lodging fee payment” is just a diplomatic or ‘facing-saving’ way not to use the ‘R’ word.

This is not the first time the term “board and lodging fee” has been used in situations like this.

We recall only too well the scuttlebutt, never fully reported but widely circulated, that a certain high profile member of the so-called inner circle of former president Estrada (’RA’ ?) similarly ‘brokered’ such ‘board and lodging reimbursement fees’ in the abduction of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, which ended in the death of Martin.

While a news blackout on the Ces Drilon abduction is supposedly still in force, reports have indicated that the kidnappers have demanded up to P20 million ($454,000) in ransom.

In the latest twist, it is now being reported that the driver hired by Ces Drilon and her crew has claimed to police that a known “military agent” and not members of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group abducted the ABS-CBN team.

Sulu police chief Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said driver Maramma Hasim claimed that one Juamil “Maming” Biyaw was the “missing link” to knowing who was behind the abduction.

And over on the nearby island of Basilan, the military has just disclosed that two Philippine Marines were abducted on Thursday with the Abu Sayyaf demanding the release of detained Abu Sayyaf militant Sali Dungkal Alih in exchange. Security forces arrested Alih in Basilan on May 6.

“They are offering us a concession — give us the liberty of Alih and then we will release the Marines,” said Philippine Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo.

So the ASG is dealing new cards and upping the ante in the dangerous ‘poker terror game’ that will be one week old tomorrow.

The only detail we can perhaps draw some comfort from is that authorities have reportedly been able to talk to Ces Drilon, most likely by satellite phone, giving them the sought after ‘proof of life’.

But there is yet no word on the condition of Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo.

The agonizing wait continues as authorities plot their next moves in dealing with those malefactors and malcontents in the jungles of Sulu.

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About The Author: Ding G. Gagelonia is a journalist of some 30 years, having worked in both radio and TV news and public affairs since his teens. Ding Gagelonia now writes independently and does corporate communications consulting. He has two kids, Felice and Luis. His journalist blog is at midfield.wordpress.com

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