Zamboanga mediamen denounce Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Two media groups here denounced the Abu Sayyaf for threatening journalists critical of the Muslim fundamentalist group.

In a joint statement, the Zamboanga Press Club, led by Bernard Concepcion, and the city chapter of the Union of Journalists of the Philippines, led by Rey Luis Banagudos, said "freedom of speech, including its exercise through the mass media, is a fundamental right of every citizen in a democratic society..."

Mediamen, they added, "have a duty to report to the public whatever information they have in the higher interest of the people."

The media groups reacted to the admission of Abu Sayyaf spokesman Asmad Alahuddin the other day that the extremist rebel group was behind the killing of broadcaster Rey Bangcayrin here two years ago.

Bangcayrin was shot dead inside the announcer's booth of radio station dxLL on March 30, 1998 because of "his strong criticisms about our group," Alahuddin said.

Alahuddin warned mediamen to go easy on the Abu Sayyaf and be "a little moderate about what they say against us."

The two media groups said local journalists "are not biased towards any group or cultural community" and that they "even allow the Abu Sayyaf to air their legitimate grievances through peaceful means."

"Violence or terrorism will not bring you, the Abu Sayyaf or your underprivileged marginalized communities the social and economic amelioration you so desperately need to get out of the miserable cycle of violence that has enslaved you - body and mind - for a long time now," the media groups said.

The military has linked the Abu Sayyaf to kidnappings for ransom, harassment, bombings and other terrorist activities in Mindanao.

At present, the extremist group is still holding captive 33 people - a priest, teachers and students - whom it took as hostages after attacking Army detachments in Basilan last March 20.

In retaliation, an armed group, led by one Abul Mijal, abducted the wife, one-year-old son and nine relatives of Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani.

Mijal's group said it would release Janjalani's family and relatives only if the Abu Sayyaf would free its 33 hostages.

In other developments in Mindanao:

* Armed men, believed to be Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, stormed a mosque in Sumisip, Basilan at noon Friday, wounding two worshippers identified as Jannari Musallim, 60, and Abdul Jamalul, Vice Gov. Abdulaziz Balamo said.

Witnesses, however, said the two worshippers were wounded when two armed groups traded gunshots outside the mosque.

* Suspected extortionists shot dead a bus driver and burned his vehicle in Tungawan, Zamboanga del Sur yesterday morning, said Maj. Alberto Gepilano, local military spokesman. - With Roel Pareño and AFP