Sayyaf warns: We'll kidnap Americans

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Muslim fundamentalists holding 29 hostages in a jungle stronghold in Basilan said yesterday they will kidnap or kill Americans in the country if the United Sates rejects their demand that it free jailed Arab terrorists.

The Abu Sayyaf said President Estrada should discuss with US President Bill Clinton the release of Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, Sheik Abdurahman Omar and Abu Haider, who were convicted in the United States for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces may impose a news blackout on the hostage crisis in Basilan to stop the Abu Sayyaf from using the mass media to further the group's terrorist aims.

Col. Rafael Romero, Armed Forces spokesman, lashed out at media for giving the terrorist group, which is now known as Al Harakatul Islamia, extensive coverage and exposure.

"Every terrorist's main weapon is to strike fear in the hearts of every person and they use the media," Romero said in an interview over radio station dZbb. "The best thing here is to cut off the media so that they no longer have exposure. Nobody will listen to them."

The Abu Sayyaf wants President Estrada to formally relay to US President Bill Clinton their demand to set free three terrorists jailed in the US.

"If America rejects it, we can promise that we'll kidnap or kill all Americans we will see in the Philippines," Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Asmad Salayuddin said.

The guerrillas outlined their demands in a letter to Mr. Estrada they presented last week to action star Robin Padilla, who is helping negotiate the release of the hostages.

Salayuddin said they asked Padilla, who left Basilan last Saturday, to return to their jungle hideout after about a week with Mr. Estrada's response.

He said the guerrillas are still awaiting a communication from Padilla until the end of the Holy Week before they decide anything.

However, he said they would not push for the three terrorists to be released if the ambassadors of Italy, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan will go to their jungle hideout to negotiate.

The US and Italian Embassies have not commented on the Abu Sayyaf's demands, but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the hostage crisis will be discussed during security dialogues with the US.

A US Embassy staff, who requested anonymity, said the hostage situation was discussed "in passing" during a meeting of embassy officials yesterday morning.

George Reyes, DFA spokesman, said the department was being updated about the situation in the south and that security authorities held constant dialogue with the diplomatic service.

"We have to monitor the case closely," he said. "We are trying to communicate the demand to the government concerned. But as long as the threat is contained within Philippine territory, this will be handled by local security authorities."

The terrorists also want the government to stop the poaching of foreign fishing vessels in waters off southern Mindanao, and ban crosses in churches, chapels and cemeteries in predominantly Muslim Basilan.

They also want the Department of Education, Culture and Sports to order female Muslim teachers and students to wear the traditional Muslim dress that completely covers the body.

The President has dismissed the Abu Sayyaf's demands and described the terrorists as "out of their minds."

In Cotabato City, National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre urged the media to help the government convince the Abu Sayyaf to release the 29 remaining hostages and to stop terrorizing civilians.

"You in media, both in print and broadcast can help us work out the release of the hapless by calling on this group not to resort to violence in furthering their cause and to let the people know what the Abu Sayyaf is doing."

Aguirre said media can be a means for the government to reach the Abu Sayyaf and let its members know about the serious consequences of their activities.

"They can fight the government but not harm innocent civilians." he said.

Basilan Vice Gov. Abdulaziz Belamo, chairman of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC), said Padilla will only be allowed to communicate with the terrorists through a two-way radio.

The CMC action came after the Abu Sayyaf held Padilla, a Vatican representative, three ulamas, and more than 20 print and broadcast journalists to force the CMC to deliver 200 sacks of rice to their hideout.

Col. Jaime Canatoy, commander of the Armed Forces Public Relations Service, said the military was poised to storm the Abu Sayyaf's mountain hideout and free the hostages.

"Our troops in Basilan are ready and we are just waiting for the order (to attack)," he said. "We still have to give priority to peaceful negotiations. We are concerned about the lives of the hostages."

Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar, on the other hand, warned the terrorists that 500 of his men were ready to attack them and rescue the hostages.

"I'm not going to wait for the national government to exhaust its patience," he said. "I can no longer bear the sufferings of the 52 parents as well as that of the 30 hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf."

Canatoy appealed to the Abu Sayyaf not to push through with its threat to behead the men among its 29 remaining hostages.

"I believe that the Abu Sayyaf still has a conscience," he said. "If ever they continue with their plan to kill the hostages, they will be condemned by international organizations including those from Muslim countries," he said.

Aguirre said Padilla's effort was partially successful because he was able to convince the terrorists to free two sick children.

However, the government has still to negotiate for the release of other hostages as the demands of the Abu Sayyaf are impossible and unreasonable, he added.

Aguirre said the government remains in control of the situation and that it would continue exhausting means to secure the hostages' safe release.

Cris Puno, spokesman for the Basilan Crisis Management Committee, said the Abu Sayyaf has asked for a physician and a Red Cross volunteer to treat seven sick children.

The 29 hostages, one of them Catholic priest Fr. Roel Gallardo, and several women and children, have been held in a mountain hideout in Sumisip town in Basilan since March 20.

Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Sunday the government should involve churchmen and ulamas in negotiations with the MILF to prevent further conflict in Mindanao.

"Today we talk of war in Mindanao, " she said in a prepared speech upon arrival. "I just have been to the Middle East, where talks of peace may soon pay dividends to Israelis and Palestinians alike."

Arroyo arrived last Sunday from a three-week trip to China, the Middle East and the US.

Arroyo, who is also secretary of social welfare and development, said a total of 39,000 families have been affected by the armed conflict in Lanao del Norte, which broke out last March 16.

She said P13.9 million have been allocated for these families, and that P5.7 million came from local government units, P778,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and P7.9 million from other government agencies like the Office of the President. - Mike Frialde, John Unson, Rodel Pareño, Ding Cervantes, Allen Estabillo, Liberty Dones, Aurea Calica, AFP, AP