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June 16, 2008
Govt OKs P500,000 bounty for TV
crew's kidnappers
abs-cbnnews.com
The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday approved the recommendation to put up a P500,000-bounty each for the alleged kidnappers of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and university professor Octavio Dinampo.
The Philippine National Police identified two of the suspects as Sulayman Patta alias Amah Ma'as and Abu Haris and Walid alias Tuan Wals, according to an initial report. The other kidnappers have not yet been identified.
Earlier, a local official acting as an emissary said the kidnappers have asked for a P15-million ransom, which they want delivered by Tuesday noon, according to an emissary.
The emissary, Alvarez Isnaji, mayor of the town of Indanan, Sulu, told reporters in Sulu the kidnappers set Tuesday as the deadline for the P15 million ransom for Drilon, ABS-CBN Encarnacion and Dinampo of the Mindanao State Univerisity.
The kidnappers released ABS-CBN assistant camerman Angelo Valderama Thursday night after taking the television crew June 8 with Dinampo, who was their guide.
Isnaji, meanwhile, clarified that the he never mentioned any ransom amount. He said that it was the kidnappers who declared the amount in exchange for the hostages' freedom.
The mayor added that he nearly backed out of the negotiations but decided against it after talking with Drilon on the mobile phone Monday morning.
He said Drilon cried during the phone conversation at around 8 a.m.
On Monday afternoon, the families of Drilon and Encarnacion clarified erroneous reports that they are directly communicating with the kidnappers and independently negotiating for the release of Ces and Jimmy.
"Only Mayor Isnaji is directly communicating with the kidnappers. We are counting on him for the release of Ces and Jimmy and continue to pray for his efforts," they said.
Drilon's family said they were surprised by reports that Isnaji's position is weakened because the family is talking to the kidnappers directly.
"We met with Major Isnaji in Zamboanga City yesterday (Sunday). He knows we are not talking to the kidnappers and are counting on him for the release of Ces and Jimmy. We have also been assured by ABS-CBN that they are not holding separate talks with the kidnappers," the family said.