Abu Sayyaf ultimatum for Ces Drilon extended
Police artist's sketches of Ces Drilon kidnap suspects, which National Police Director General Avelino Razon presented to the media during a command conference at the police regional headquarters in Zamboanga City on Tuesday. The suspects were identified as Walid, alias Tuan Walis (left), and Sulayman Patta alias Amah Ma'as and Abu Haris. The PNP has offered a reward of P1-million, or P500,000 each, for the capture of Patta and Walid.

An ultimatum set by the kidnappers of a broadcast journalist and three other companions including two-television crew and a university professor in the southern Philippines has been indefinitely extended, hostage crisis negotiators said.

The extension was announced Tuesday by Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, the chief negotiator for the release of television reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon of ABS-CBN and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Professor Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University.

The kidnappers, believed Abu Sayyaf militants, have demanded for P15 million ransom in exchange for the safe release of three remaining hostages. On Monday, they gave the victims' families deadline to pay the ransom by midday on yesterday.

Mayor Isnaji, through his son Jun, told reporters covering the hostage drama in Indanan town the ultimatum had been extended, saying that they now have more time to negotiate – beyond the original deadline that would have expired at 12 noon or 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

"The kidnappers have agreed to continue the negotiations for the release of victims. They also promised not to harm them (captives)," the young Isnaji said. "The kidnappers had threatened to behead the victims but had changed their minds."

According to Isnaji, the kidnappers have now opened their lines and are now discussing with negotiators on alternatives to ransom the remaining hostages in the form of livelihood projects or other socio-economic development in the area.

"Sana kami ay nananalangin na maayos ito sa lalong madaling panahon (We hope we are praying for the immediate resolution of this (crisis)," he told newsmen covering in Sulu.

On Sunday, the military shelled rebel positions in Indanan town but denied that the operation had anything to do with the kidnapping.

According to Isnaji, the military action angered the kidnappers and if this is not stopped could jeopardize the on going negotiations with the kidnappers.

But despite this, about 150 Sulu policemen in full battle gear have prepared since Tuesday for any eventualities that may arise in the troubled island province in the light of the kidnapping of Ces Drilon.

"We're ready for whatever eventualities that may happen as the deadline set by kidnappers until 12 noon expires today. This was the order to me from the higher headquarters," said Sulu police provincial chief Julasirim Kasim.

Kasim added: "We are ready to react for any eventualities. We are ready at all cost. We're ready. What I'm implementing today is the readiness of the Sulu provincial police office. About 150 of us are waiting for the instruction of superiors.

Last June 8, gunmen seized Drilon's team and a university professor while on their way to Maimbuing to secretly interview Radulan Sahiron who sent surrender feeler. Cameraman Angelo Valderama was released last week.

As the 2 p.m. extended deadline expired yesterday, the families of Drilon and Encarnacion pleaded anew with members of the Abu Sayyaf to free their captives.

"Maawa na po kayo sa kanila. Ginagawa lang po nila ang trabaho nila as reporter…hindi po reporters ang dapat niyong kinukuha…kaya nakikiusap ho kami sa inyo pakawalan niyo na ang mother ko hirap na hirap na po kami dito," a son of Ces Drilon appealed over a national radio.

The wife of Encarnacion, meanwhile, appealed: "Sana po makarating ito sa kumuha sa asawa ko…wala naman po silang nagawang masama sa inyo…nagta-trabaho lang siya ng marangal kaya siya nandidiyan…hindi na po namin alam kung ano'ng gagawin namin…mahal na mahal po namin si Jimmy…maawa na po kayo sa kanila pakawalan niyo na po sila."