Libya steps in to negotiate release of Chinese hostage

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Libya said yesterday that it has taken the lead role in efforts to win the freedom of a Chinese man abducted by a gang of former Moro separatist guerrillas.

Libyan Ambassador Salem Adam said in a statement that he is at the "forefront of negotiations" with the gunmen holding Zhang Zhong Yi.

Zhang and two other colleagues as well as a Filipino interpreter were abducted by the gang, which calls itself the "Pentagon," last Aug. 12 as they delivered ransom for his brother, Zhang Zhong Qiang, who had been abducted by the same group in June.

Zhang Zhong Qiang, an engineer at the Japan-funded Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project in Carmen, North Cotabato, and another Chinese hostage were later killed during a military rescue attempt, while a third Chinese was rescued.

Last Wednesday, the gunmen freed the interpreter, Edwin Lim, following negotiations with Muslim politicians.

The kidnappers, led by Tahir Alonto, turned Lim over to leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who, for two days, negotiated his release at a remote area at the boundary of Datu Paglas and Buluan towns in Maguindanao and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

"As a gesture of goodwill to the Philippine government, I have been at the forefront of negotiations with the group that is holding the Chinese expatriate," Adam said.

"In the process, I have exerted whatever influence I have with the Moro revolutionary groups, particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), to assist me in this humanitarian mission," he added.

Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, the MNLF’s secretary-general, said Governors Emmanuel Piñol of North Cotabato, Datu Pax Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Andal Ampatuan of Maguindanao were initiating diplomatic means to secure the release of Zhang Zhung Yi.

"Even the 6th Infantry Division and the police directors of Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are helping work out Zhang’s release," Sema said.

Last year, the Libyan government forked out the money as well as negotiators to convince the Abu Sayyaf to release dozens of European and Asian hostages snatched from Malaysian resorts and the island of Jolo.

The Abu Sayyaf has since abducted a fresh batch of tourists and is holding an American couple and 16 Filipinos in Basilan.

Adam expressed hope that with "persistent negotiations," Zhang Zhong Yi should be freed "in due time."

"Our recent experience with a similar situation, coupled by the willingness and qualified support of Moro revolutionary groups, give us the confidence that we can again play an important role to demonstrate Libya’s sincerity to assist the Philippine government," Adam said.

Libya belongs to the Ministerial Committee of the Eight of the Organization of Islamic Conference, which oversees the implementation of the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF. — John Unson