Military authorities in Mindanao hinted yesterday they have pinpointed the general location of Abu Sayyaf kidnappers holding four female hostages in Sulu, and that the troops were just awaiting orders to move in for the kill.
"Our troops are in position. That’s the logical move. We have to rescue the hostages," said Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, commander of the Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) based in Zamboanga City.
Carolina said the soldiers have cordoned off the kidnappers’ hideout as they awaited the expiration of a five-day unilateral ceasefire to enable civilian emissaries to negotiate for the safe and unconditional release of the hostages.
"The negotiators received no definite word from the kidnappers and instead they went deeper into the jungle," Carolina said.
He said they cannot allow any extensions of the ceasefire.
Gunmen led by Muin Sahiron, nephew of one-armed Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, seized on Aug. 20 four women and two men in Patikul town in the island province of Sulu.
The men were decapitated hours later, and their heads placed in ice buckets and dumped in the public market. They were identified as Lemuel Montulo and Leonel Mantic.
Those still being held were identified as Norie Bendijo, Cleofe Montulo and her sister-in-law Flora, and Emily Mantic.
At least six battalions backed up by 50 US-trained members of the Army’s Light Reaction Company equipped with night-vision goggles and sophisticated weapons were deployed to Sulu to track down the abductors.
A brother of one of the female captives said they have decided to leave the fate of the hostages in the hands of the military.
"There is nothing more we can do. We can only hope that they (hostages) are rescued safely," said Junie Montulo, elder brother of Cleofe Montulo.
During a press briefing at the Southcom headquarters, Carolina turned over to Junie P25,000 donated by Armed Forces chief Gen. Roy Cimatu.
Carolina said government negotiators led by Patikul Mayor Hasser Hayudini have expressed support to the military operations to exert pressure on the kidnappers.
Sulu officials have asked for a five-day grace period to conduct peaceful negotiations for the release of the hostages to avert clashes between the troops and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, saying the battle might destroy crops ready for harvest.
Carolina said the Islamist bandits have been constantly on the move to evade the pursuing soldiers.
He also said they have coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in case there is a need to set up an evacuation center for civilians who might be displaced by the fighting.
"The moment we obtain contact with the enemy, there will surely be fireworks," Carolina told reporters.
On Monday, government troops clashed with an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Talipao town in Sulu, leaving one of the suspected bandits dead.
The military believed some of the enemies were also wounded in the encounter that erupted at about 5:30 a.m. in a remote village of Talipao.
An hour later, elements of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion also clashed with another Abu Sayyaf band in Talipao, known haven of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, and his allies, Mujib Susukan and Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu Pula.
"That has been the Abu Sayyaf tactic. They let a small group surface while the bigger group flees to avoid contact with the soldiers," Carolina pointed out.
The military officials ruled out, however, that the Abu Sayyaf gunmen involved in the two clashes were holding the four female hostages.
Carolina also said the Abu Sayyaf would not harm the three Indonesian sailors they seized on June 17 "because the Indonesian government has been supportive of the Muslim cause in Mindanao."
Indonesian tugboat skipper Munto Jacobi Winowatan, first officer Julkipli and chief engineer Pieter Lerrich have been held by Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Commander Malub and Black Killer.
Legarda said she has been talking to one of the Abu Sayyaf members who said he and four other comrades planned to turn themselves in.
"The moment they surrender, they will give information on whether Sabaya is dead or alive," Legarda said, adding that the four were well-known members of the Islamist group.
"They want to lead a new life and are seeking assistance," the senator told reporters, but refused to identify them.
Legarda said she has informed the military about the projected surrender.
Catholic priest Fr. Cirilo Nacorda of Lamitan town in Basilan has claimed that Sabaya is still alive, citing alleged reports that the bandit has been spotted in various places.
The military reported earlier that Sabaya was killed in an encounter in the high seas off Sibuco town in Zamboanga del Norte last June, but his remains have not been found.
President Arroyo and Malacañang insisted, however, that Sabaya was actually slain in that encounter, adding that there was a video footage of the incident taken by a US spy satellite.
"The President may be correct because she is basing her statement from reports of the men in the field. Until such time that we see Sabaya in flesh, we have to take the President’s word," Legarda said.
She also underscored the significance of publicly showing the video footage to ultimately put to rest the debate on Sabaya’s fate.
The US has rejected requests by Manila to show the film clip on national television, saying it might give some sectors an insight into their intelligence capability.
"That’s their prerogative. They own the tape. But if they really want to disprove allegations of Father Nacorda, they should release the video," Legarda said. – With Efren Danao