Basilan exec: We'll wipe out Sayyaf kin

ISABELA, Basilan -- Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar warned the Abu Sayyaf yesterday that he will wipe out the relatives of its leaders if the Muslim extremist group harmed any of its hostages.

"I am always for the safety of future generations. To save a hundred thousand lives, if 10 or 20 or a hundred should be sacrificed, then they should be sacrificed so that many will be saved," Akbar vowed.

"I swear to God, if you hurt the hostages, I will finish off your family, Abu Sabaya," Akbar warned Sayyaf spokesman Asmad Ala-huddin, alias Abu Sabaya.

But Akbar said he will also consider the families of the hostages before he initiates any drastic action against the Abu Sayyaf.

Alahuddin had threatened to deliver to government negotiators the male hostages' decapitated heads if movie actor Robin Padilla does not show up at the Abu Sayyaf hideout in Camp Abubakar in Sumisip town by 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Padilla is expected to arrive in Mindanao today.

Alahuddin warned that Catholic priest Fr. Roel Gallardo will be beheaded last as in a billiard game -- the first ball will shoot the last one, which is the No.15 ball.

"God will condemn him (Alahuddin) and the Abu Sayyaf cannot escape from his wrath if ever they decide to kill the hostages," Akbar added.

The 72-hour ultimatum given by the Abu Sayaff will end at 6 a.m. tomorrow while a vigilante group headed by Abdul Mijal gave the Sayyaf until Saturday to free all its hostages or they will execute by firing squad 11 members of Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani's family.

Basilan Vice Gov. Abdulaziz Bonie Balamo, who chairs the Crisis Management Committee, fears that the Abu Sayyaf might hold Padilla and other members of the negotiating team if their major demands are not met.

The father of Fr. Noel has asked the government to send Padilla to negotiate with his son's captors.

"We believe he can help," Dominador Gallardo, father of Fr. Roel, told reporters in an interview yesterday. "He can talk to his brother Muslims. The group might be able to tell him what is its demands."

Gallardo said the government could gain some ground in the negotiation if it sends someone apolitical like Padilla to talk with the Abu Sayyaf, which is now known as Al Harakatul Islamia.

However, the Crisis Management Committee should lay down the parameters for the negotiation, he added.

Thirty-year-old Fr. Roel, who hails from Castillejos town in Zambales, is the parish priest of Tumahubong town and director of Claret High School in Barangay Sumisip, both in Basilan. He was kidnapped along with 52 teachers and students last March 20.

In Zamboanga City, officials are expecting Padilla to arrive today following government approval for him to take part in negotiations to free Fr. Roel and the 31 other hostages.

Padilla will be accompanied by Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado during the flight from Manila to Zamboanga and onward to Basilan.

Earlier, the movie tough guy met with Presidential Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre, who had given him the go-signal to join the talks as a "mediator."

Apart from Padilla, Vatican representative Fr. Nestor Banga, and three Ulamas from this city and four from Basilan will also take part in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, a helper of Ustadz Hussein Manatad, father-in-law of Janjalani, was kidnapped by unidentified men in Isabela, Basilan last Monday.

Police identified the victim as Cesar Mirasol.

In Castillejos, a prayer rally will be held tomorrow to seek the release and to stop the beheading of Fr. Roel and the 31 other hostages of the Abu Sayyaf.

Dubbed the "Live Rosary Prayer Rally," the rally was initiated by the Castillejos Parish Council and some 3,000 town residents are expected to participate.

Zambales Bishop Monsignor Deogracias Iniguez said the diocese supports Fr. Roel and the other hostages and that they are praying for their immediate release. -- Bebot Sison Jr., Roel D. Pareno