Release of eight Filipino hostages aborted anew

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The expected release of eight remaining hostages Thursday night was aborted anew due to the presence of military troops in the hinterlands of Sumisip, Basilan.

A source close to a non-government official who is supposedly working for the release of the six school children and two teachers - part of a group of 50 abducted March 20 - disclosed that everything was set for the release but it was called off at 7 p.m.

The source, who asked not to be named, said the P1-million "board and lodging" fee had already been prepared in exchange for the captives' freedom.

According to the source, the emissary escorted by Abu Sayyaf rebels was ready to move out of Sumisip town when the group noticed the presence of military troops patrolling the area.

The first attempt for the handover also fell through Wednesday night when the same group holding the eight captives encountered Army troops in Maluso town, near the border of Sumisip.

The source disclosed that the emissary returned to this city alone last Thursday night aboard a speedboat meant to ferry the victims home.

However, the Armed Forces Southern Command said the civilian group working for the victims' release failed to coordinate with officials.

"We are very supportive of the move. Our primary concern here is the safe release of the victims," Lt. Col. Hilario Atendido, Southern Command spokesman, said.

The military troops have been chasing the Abu Sayyaf led by Khadafy Janjalani and his spokesman Abu Asmad Salayuddi alias Sabaya, who escaped from the military assault on the bandits' lair in Mt. Punoh Mohadje last April 29.

The troops have so far rescued 17 hostages in several encounters since late March into early May, but the extremists executed seven captives who tried to escape at the height of a firefight in Lantawan.

Meanwhile, a member of the Abu Sayyaf who tried to breach a military checkpoint in Lamitan poblacion, Basilan, was killed Thursday as he attempted to draw his gun.

Basilan PNP provincial director Supt. Akmadul Pangambayan identified the suspect as Abu Ustadz Hair Usman, reportedly a top commander of the bandits.

Pangambayan said that the military was about to frisk and search Usman when the suspect pulled out a gun. But alert troops drew their assault rifles and beat him to it.