‘No negotiations for release of Sayyaf captives’

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Armed Forces Southern command chief Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina rejected any negotiation for the release of four women belonging to the Jehovah’s Witnesses whom the Abu Sayyaf has been holding captive for almost two months now.

However, Carolina assured relatives of Norie Bendijo, Cleofe and Flora Montulo, and Emily Mantic that his men will do their best to rescue them safely.

"There is no sense in negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf," he said in Filipino during a press conference. "During the time of Abu Sabaya, (American hostage Martin) Burnham was not released even a year after ransom was paid."

Carolina spoke during ceremonies in Marawi City Thursday for the formal surrender of 308 rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Carolina said troops have already tracked down the bandits and their captives in the impenetrable jungles of Mt. Bagsak Sinamaan Complex in Basilan.

"This is really a matter of time, a matter of patience," he said. "We will monitor (the situation). We will not leave the place (where the bandits are holed up) until we have rescued all four hostages."

But Carolina said he cannot give any timetable for the rescue of the four women held captive for almost two months.

"We have a big target area which is the actual battlefield of (government troops and the Abu Sayyaf)," he said.

"That’s the jungle. They have already set up fortifications there. It is really hard to search for them (in the jungle). But what is important is that we can see the determination of our troops who are scouring the jungle for the Abu Sayyaf."

The four women were snatched in Sulu last Aug. 19, along with four others –two male members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and two Muslim guides.

The Muslims were later freed but the two men belonging to the Jehovah’s Witnesses were decapitated and their heads thrown in different parts of the Jolo public market.

The heads of Lemuel Montulo and Leonel Mantic were placed in boxes containing ice and a note pasted on them, saying they were executed for being "infidels" to Islam.

Later the bandits demanded a P6-million ransom for Bendijo, the Montulos, and Mantic.

Spearheading the military operation to rescue the four women is the crack Army unit, the 70-man strong Light Reaction Company.

President Arroyo has ordered the military to rescue the captives and wipe out the Abu Sayyaf and the gang’s remnants in Sulu.

The US-trained Light Reaction Company is equipped to carry out missions against terrorists. – Bong Fabe