House to reopen Romero ransom probe

Congress decided last night to reopen its inquiry into the alleged payment of ransom by businessman Reghis Romero II to the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, which held him captive in Basilan for several months early this year.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, chairman of the House committee on defense, said his panel is reopening its probe in the light of recent revelations by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III that Romero indeed paid ransom to gain freedom.

"We’ll try to invite Senator Osmeña," Pichay said.

Aside from the allegation that Romero paid ransom, the investigation will also focus on the reported collusion by the military and the Abu Sayyaf which led to the escape of the bandits from raiding soldiers in Lamitan, Basilan in June.

Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo, vice chairman of the defense panel, said they would invite two other persons whom the Abu Sayyaf freed with Romero.

He identified the two as Rhiza Rodriguez, Romero’s companion, and R.J. Recio, a young boy. The two were also seized by the bandits from the Dos Palmas island resort off Palawan last May 27.

In the committee’s last hearing on the issue, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested that the soldier who took the video footage of Romero’s run to freedom be invited also.

Based on its previous hearings, the committee was told by two former hostages that they their former captors received money from Romero before they freed him.

Romero, a wealthy real estate contractor, has consistently denied the claim.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez revealed alleged attempts by former Malaysian senator Sairin Karno to negotiate for the release of the Abu Sayyaf hostages in exchange for some concessions.

Golez said Karno had told government negotiator William Castillo that he would convince the bandits to release their captives if he is granted concessions for rice importations.

But Golez quickly dismissed the demand. "There is no way we could grant it because that is even worse than paying ransom," he said.

Golez’s revelation supported charges earlier made by Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao who was the first to reveal Karno’s backchannel dealings with the Abu Sayyaf.

Tiglao bared the other day that Karno had met with Sen. Panfilo Lacson to work out possible ransom negotiations with the bandits for the release of American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, who were also seized with Romero in Palawan.

Yesterday, Tiglao and Golez questioned Lacson’s statement that the negotiation is "between Malaysia and the Abu Sayyaf."

Tiglao branded the claim as appalling. "Our commanders are still very optimistic that their campaign to rescue the Burnhams will be successful. We hope other self-styled negotiators would try not to be a monkey wrench on our pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf," he said.

Golez added that Malaysia has disowned Karno when his links with the Abu Sayyaf first came out. "Malaysia said it has nothing to do with this personality. This is an internal matter and we do not believe Malaysia should get into the picture," he said. – With Marichu Villanueva