Legarda paid P2-M for reporter’s release — military

A senator paid ransom to redeem broadcast journalist Arlyn de la Cruz from the Abu Sayyaf who had held her for three months in Jolo, Sulu, the military said yesterday.

Disputing claims by Sen. Loren Legarda that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers, a military report said a Muslim professor had "delivered the ransom payment amounting to P2 million."

Yesterday, an infuriated Legarda repeated earlier denials that she was a party to ransom talks, saying her role was limited to "gentle persuasion." University of the Philippines professor Mashur Jundam, who had received the hostage, also denied making the delivery of any ransom.

The military report said the kidnappers handed De la Cruz, a reporter of local cable channel City Net 25, to the Legarda intermediary in Jolo last Saturday "after the money was paid for the release of the victim."

"Reportedly, negotiation for the release was finalized the night before between emissaries of the Abu Sayyaf and a group made up of Legarda, her husband, ex-Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste and Cherry Cobarrubias somewhere in Metro Manila," the report said.

Cobarrubias, a spokeswoman for former First Lady Imelda Marcos, was a sponsor during De la Cruz’s wedding.

The ransom amount was initially set at P11 million but "due to the pressure put by the government troops through continuous operations, the (Abu Sayyaf) lowered it to P2 million," it added.

‘Not a single cent’

Legarda reiterated that no ransom was paid, saying the release was made possible because of the kidnappers’ "trust and respect" for her as an honorary Muslim princess who had close ties with the Tausugs.

"There was no ransom. I would never allow that. I am a veteran of seven releases... not a single cent was given," she said.

In the past, Legarda has been instrumental in securing the release of civilian hostages and military men held by communist rebels.

The senator disclosed that the abductors of De la Cruz merely asked for a school to be built, which she said was a logical demand, with or without De la Cruz as a hostage.

When asked why she did not coordinate with the military in connection with the mission, Legarda replied: "The sensitive nature of the mission would not allow me to tell anyone... It was a very sensitive matter and I felt it was appropriate for me to do things very discreetly."

She explained she did not call up the media until she got hold of De la Cruz because "anything could have happened."

"Any leakage could have cost the lives of many people," Legarda said.

At the Senate, Legarda had a minor argument with Sen. Noli de Castro after the latter had expressed doubts no money changed hands for the reporter’s release.

"It’s not that I don’t believe that no ransom was paid, but from the very start of our own negotiations, money was always an issue. They (captors) had talked about nothing but money, but I told them I can only help them with projects since the government has a no-ransom policy," De Castro said.

After clarifying issues on alleged credit-grabbing and crab mentality, both senators kissed and made up before reporters at the session hall.

Before running for public office, Legarda and De Castro had been colleagues at the ABS-CBN news network, where the kidnapped reporter had also been employed.

De la Cruz was abducted on Jan. 20 in Jolo while doing a story about the US Christian missionary couple held captive by the Abu Sayyaf on nearby Basilan island.

Legarda said she was approached by Cobarrubias and Jundam in February to help negotiate the release of De la Cruz.

Jundam, a Jolo native, delivered the ransom to the village of Anoling, the military report said.

De la Cruz, 32, was released to Jundam of the UP Diliman Institute of Islamic Studies at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday in Casanyangan, a remote village at the Indanan-Patikul boundary.