Update: ABS-CBN rules out ransom
Rep.Roilo Golez yesterday called on those who cherish freedom and peace “to pray for the safety and life of Ces Drilon and all other who are under involuntary and hostile custody. Let’s pray that God will enlighten and soften the hearts and minds of their captors.”
Ces and her crew, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and assistant cameraman Angel Valderama, together with peace advocate Octavio Dinampo, a professor at the Mindanao State University were abducted armed men in Maimbung, Sulu Sunday. Police reports say the kidnappers were members of the bandit group, Abu Sayyaf.
ABS-CBN appeals to colleagues in media to exercise “utmost consideration for the safety of our news team.”
Mindanao experts say May and June are “kidnapping season” in areas where the ASG operate because at this time of the year the sea is calm which makes it easier for them to transport the hostages from one place to another. The Sipadan kidnapping in 2000 happened in May. So
was the Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001. Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was kidnapped June 10, 2007.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon also said the Abu Sayyaf group is again at its fund raising activities especially kidnap-for-ransom. “Most vulnerable victims are high profile personalities with the potential of their company coming up with the payment of ransom demands. This had been
the mark of previous kidnapping incidents perpetuated by the Abu Sayyaf group,” he said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan said “The disappearance of Ces and her crew is a dire manifestation of the dangers facing our journalists in the practice of their profession. We need to focus on strengthening the respect and fear of the rule of law by punishing more and punishing
fast. The handling of this case by our authorities will be crucial, and we demand the immediate resolution of this abduction.”
The Mindanao Peoples Caucus issued a statement condemning the kidnapping of its chairman, Octavio Dinampo.
Mary Ann Aranado, secretary-general of MPC, said Dinampo is a credible and well-respected leader from Sulu and a leading peace advocate in Mindanao. He has been in the forefront of peace advocacy, good governance and relief and rehabilitation efforts in the conflict
affected areas in Mindanao.
Dinampo is also a convener of the Bantay Ceasefire and has always been a helpful and reliable guide of many visitors to Sulu.
Aranado said, “We have always felt we are safest in Sulu with Prof. Octavio around us. At this time when he has fallen victim of the very violence that he has been trying to overcome, we readily lend our moral support and prayers as we continue to move mountains and hound
the heavens for his safety and early release.”
Aranado appeals to law enforcers and the military to exhaust all peaceful and traditional methods of negotiation in working out the release of the kidnap victims. “We also call on our religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim faiths to extend whatever possible
support. Let this crisis see the strength of our solidarity and dialogue as brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” she said.
The Black & White Movement is most concerned about this latest report of ASG kidnapping because at one time or another, they have worked with the kidnapped personalities. “Many of us know Ces and Octavio personally. Ces has interviewed and consulted on several news
stories, while Octavio has worked side by side with those of us working in the NGO community and peace efforts.”
“We appeal to their captors for their unconditional release. Nothing positive can be gained from acts such as this. The taking of hostages further endangers the deteriorating peace situation in Mindanao and hinders the progress toward harmony.
“Our hearts go out to their families, we pray for them as we can only imagine the tension and fear that grip their hearts. We commiserate with their friends and colleagues and we continue to pray for the speedy yet peaceful resolution of this crisis,” Leah Navarro, spokesperson for the Black and White Movement said.
I only met Ces a few times but I am so much affected by her disappearance. In Bandila, she always reports from Sulu so I was under the impression that she was comfortable there.
Ces, my prayers are with you and your companions wherever you may be. May you be released soon!
Will submit Ms. Drilon’s name for special prayer in our temple. Ano ba ang mga pangalan ng mga kasama niya at saka full name niya?
Remember iyong connivance ng mga Abus at mga sundalo noong kidnapin ang grupo nina Burnham? Iyan ang nakakatakot. Who knows baka trabaho iyan ng mga gustong patahimikin ang mga media by conniving with the other group supposedly in conflict with the group Drilon and company were supposed to interview? Anything is possible doon sa mga powers that be, you know. Alam naman natin kung anong uri ng hayop ang mga Pidal para lang huwag matanggal sa puwesto.
Pero sabi nga, “Faith can move mountains.” Miracles in fact still happen today. God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. He still answers sincere prayers at siyempre kung iyon ang nararapat. Lahat ay may dahilan and for a reason, good and/or bad.
Just read a letter from Ms. Amina Rasul to the Manila Times. She said in her letter that “Prof. Dinampo has been released”? Can anyone confirm this??? Here is the link.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/11/yehey/opinion/20080611opi8.html
Sana’y nasa mabuti silang kalagayan, patnubayan sila ng Diyos.
Let’s pray for the safety and immediate release of Ces Drilon and her companions.
My prayers go out to Ces and her family. I wonder though – what’s the exclusive story that she was going after? Maybe part of the story is actually go to the Sulu jungle and meeting the Abu Sayyaf? I just hope that she’s safe and well.
Kilala si Ces, at kilala din ang kanyang network na pinaglilingkuran. Malaking publicity ito para sa sino mang dumukot kina Ces Drillon. Bukod diyan malaking pera din ang nakasalalay para sa kanilang kalayaan. Sana naman ay pakawalan na nila si Ces. Tulal bukas ay araw naman ng kalayaan. We are praying for you Ces and your group. Sana palayain na po ninyo ang mga matatapat na alagad ng media na ito. Hindi po ninyo sila kaaway.
Welcome, Carlo.
I’ll check Mike. I was with Amina lunchtime today. She didn’t mention Dinampo.
Mike, I just got this message from Amina in answer to your query: “Na sting ako.”
Thanks for the welcome and checking my blog as well Ellen! Looking forward to your next entry.
I am a bit perplexed. The DOJ Secretary can easily eavesdrop on the cellphones of the oppositions. Cant he monitor the communications down south? I am sure everyone there use cellphones. I give pasaloads to many there.
Statement of Concern regarding the Professor Octavio Dinampo and the ABS-CBN journalists missing in Sulu
The Citizens’ Peace Watch, a broad multi-sectoral coalition of NGOs, networks, social movements, and individuals working for peace in the country, expresses its concern for Professor Octavio Dinampo and ABS-CBN journalists Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama who have gone missing in Sulu.
Very little is still known about what has happened. And yet, even as the lives of Professor Dinampo and the others are on the line, insinuations about Professor Dinampo’s role in this incident has reached our attention. Some security officials seem to be more concerned about blaming rather than saving the victims. At this time when so little is known and yet the danger so clear, these insinuations are malicious, irresponsible, and unfounded.
We have known Professor Dinampo through the years as a respected academic and concerned citizen who has been tirelessly campaigning for peace in Mindanao and in the country. We have heard him speak in educational forums in universities as well as in conferences. We have worked with him in collective campaigns for peace and justice. Just in February this year, Professor Dinampo hosted us, organizations from around the country, in a fact-finding mission to look into the escalation of violence in Sulu. Nothing from our experience leads us to doubt Professor Dinampo’s character and integrity.
Though we are not aware of the particular circumstances that led to the current incident, we have reason to believe that Professor Dinampo’s alleged role in helping link up the media with alleged Abu Sayyaf leaders could only have been motivated by his desire for truth and dialogue and his conviction that the public — through the media – deserves to know the entire truth about the situation in his violence-wracked region. So much disinformation surrounds the war in Mindanao and Professor Dinampo – an academic who is very knowledgeable with the local dynamics and personalities in his war-torn land – has persevered to change that.
Knowing this, we strongly doubt whether Professor Dinampo would do anything that would compromise anyone’s safety or be involved in any action that would undermine our shared vision of peace.
As an advocate of peace, Professor Dinampo has spoken against human rights violations and injustices committed in the war. We are afraid that it is for his critical stance that Professor Dinampo is being treated by some in authority as the subject of a dangerous smear campaign rather than as someone who needs help. In this “war on terror” which Professor Dinampo has opposed and of which he has become a casualty, in the climate of impunity that pervades over Sulu, anybody who questions authority is automatically targeted as a “terrorist.”
We demand that authorities desist from issuing any unfounded allegations pending a fair and thorough investigation.
We demand that instead of casting unwarranted aspersions on people in danger, authorities should instead focus on finding and saving Professor Dinampo and the ABS-CBN journalists.
CITIZENS PEACE WATCH
11 June 2008
Statement of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on the abduction of ABS-CBN news team:
We join our colleagues in calling for the immediate release of members of the ABS-CBN news team who have been abducted while on coverage in Sulu.
We urge the authorities to carefully manage the crisis and not allow the situation to deteriorate to a point that can place the lives of Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, Angelo Valderama and Prof. Octavio Dimampo in greater jeopardy.
Journalists should be free to cover events without harm or hostile action from any party in the interest of fair and balanced reporting.
Many of us in FOCAP have worked with Ces, Jimmy, and Angelo in reporting from the south and we are keenly aware of the risks they have taken.
FOCAP Secretariat
Pardon me but my mind flies…could it be a set up by Malacanang and its armed group? Ces Drilon and ABS-CBN (Lopezes) have become a thorn in the eyes of Malacanang. Those kidnappers are reportedly former Muslim rebels who joined the government. These days, one cannot discount Malacanang’s role in every criminal activity.
Off topic, but Malaya reports, “”True to our heritage of freedom, we staunchly protected and strengthened the vibrant democracy that we restored 22 years ago. Our political discourse is vibrant, our press is free, our Constitution shelters all who seek its protection and embrace the rule of law,” she said in her Independence Day message.”
Wow, nagsalita ang sinungaling! May nakikinig pa ba diyan? Sinong niloloko niya? Puede ba, tama na ang pagtatapalani. Ilabas na iyong mga obviously namang kinuha ng mga military na puedeng pinatay na o ikinukulong kung saan. Buhay ang inaagaw, nagsisinungaling pa rin.
Kaya iyong kidnapping kina Ces Drilon, malakas ang kutob kong trabaho ito ng mga tuta ni Gloria. Paarte-arte pa siya.
Nagsalita ng rule of law ang ungas, e siya mismo ang lumalabag sa batas. Nagiging akala mo legal ang ginagawa kasi batas niya at ng asawa lang niya ang pinapairal. Uto-uto naman iyong sumusunod sa kanila. Mga swapang at ganid kasi!!!
Sabi ng mga bobo sa Malacanang, “Drilon violated security rules.” Gagoooooo! Anong security rule e mas safe nga siyang hindi ipaalam sa Malacanang ang pagpunta na sa pupuntahan niya pero natunugan.
But whether or not Drilon broke any rule, she is still entitled to police protection, etc., and that the police is obligated to find her by all means. Pasalamat nga ang palpak na gobyerno at marami pa ring mga pilipino ang nagmamahal sa kanilang bayan kahit na ang trato sa kanila ng kanilang gobyerno ay mga basura at yagit.
Puede ba kung wala rin lang masasabing maganda ang mga bobo sa Malacanang, tumigil na lang sila. Nakakagulo lang sila sa pagpapalaya sa mga kinidnap ng mga Moslem daw pero baka Moslem na tauhan ni Esperon. Ngayon ipakilala ni Nur Misuari na ginagalang siya ng mga kapwa niya Moslem at ipahanap niya sina Drilon. I don’t believe na walang magsasabi sa kanila ng totoo kung totoo ngang Moslem ang dumukot kina Drilon.
Iyong mga bobong imbestigador sa totoo lang dapat tinatanong na iyong INC reporter with similar experience para makakuha ng tip gawa ng Abus din ang kumidnap sa kaniya kung totoo ngang Abus ang dumukop din kina Drilon. Golly, para one plus one equals two lang naman kung anu-ano pa ang sinasabi ng mga burot!
God willing ilalabas nila si Drilon! Baka gabaan na sila ng husto niyan!
ellen, pakilinaw lang po, ano ang ibig sabihin ni amina sa sagot niyang: “Na sting ako.”
Na-sting = misinformed
Napakaliit ang Jolo Island. Lalo na ang lair ng dreaded Abus. Only a few hundred square meters. Kung ilagay lahat ang army doon at magsurrender di tapos na ang guerra. Thats the dream of every Tausug warrior since way way back when I asked a young waif at the Jolo wharf why the war continues. He blurted out that they will not stop ‘kc di pa nagsulendel ang mga Almy’.
Hindi kaya parang “State-sponsored kidnapping” ito? Pwede pinalalabas lang na mga terrorist or KFR group ang may gawa. We have known Ces Drilon to be a staunch critic of Gloria’s stolen government, and Prof Diampo being a human rights and peace advocate. Hmmmm?!?
Pareho kami ng hinala ni bitchevil.
From http://tongueinanew.blogspot.com:
Was Ces and her group victims of a sting concocted by Radulan Sahiron and her abductors, if indeed these were Abu Sayyaf, for ransom and/or political purposes?
Was the kidnap group, whether from the rebel or the state, preventing Sahiron from revealing to media something very critical they wouldn’t let it happen?
Was the kidnapping an attempt to force Ces to reveal the location of Sahiron for the purpose of his capture, either by security forces, both local and foreign or by headhunting mercenaries considering the five million dollars bounty Sahiron’s head is worth?
Is this a publicity stunt of the Lopez-controlled network to to further enhance its underdog image in the Mafia vs. Meralco intramurals?
Is it a handiwork of the mafia to deal a serious blow to the Lopezes in retaliation for the severe beating it got from media?
Is this a genuine “accidental” kidnapping by a group outside of Abu Sayyaf which grabbed it when the opportunity presented itself?
Is this a manifestation of the general policy of the other non-Abu rebel groups to keep ARMM inaccessible to outsiders?
Is Abu Sayyaf really a ragtag collection of savage beasts who have no respect for anyone including those of its own recognized religous and political leaders, like Radulan Sahiron?
These questions are all valid, and unless somebody starts talking now, the situation invites more speculations.
Today is our Independence Day, and it pains me to post this ironic event. I condemn this despicable act in the strongest terms and I invite all my blog visitors and subscribers to pray for the early and safe release of Ces Drilon and company.
Read the article on inquirer.net “Ermita: ABS-CBN crew made selves “convenient victims”
Shame on you, Ermita! Kaya naman marami ang naghihinalang may kinalaman ang Malacanang sa pagkidnap kina Ces Drilon, eh!
I’ve corrected my blog entry. Thanks, Ellen for editing my comment above.
I posted comment in your blog, Tongue. I didn’t see it.
That entry was erased and edited, Ellen. Sorry, I didn’t get to read it. It was only after I hit the submit button did I realize that it was not Isnilon Hapilon but Radulan Sahiron who was named as the Abu leader that Drilon was meeting.
I didn’t know you already had a comment there.