2 kidnapped kids rescued in Sulu

Marines rescued yesterday two children of a businessman who were kidnapped last Sept. 16 by a group believed to have ties with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu, a military spokes­man said.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Philippine Navy spokesman, said the two children aged two and three were rescued in a mission conducted by elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 after being held in Barangay Anuling in Patikul town for five days.

Arevalo said government troops arrested Jamiri Jalisan and Julmina Hatae, father-in-law and wife, respectively, of the group’s leader, Hajal Hatae, who managed to escape.

“Hatae’s group demanded P1 million from (the children’s) parents. After five days, the parents decided not to give in to the demand and instead sought the help of the Marines in the area,” Arevalo said.

Last Saturday, the Marines laid out a rescue plan which led them to three houses in Barangay Anuling where the two children were being held.

The suspects are now detained at the 3rd Marine Brigade headquarters prior to their turnover to the police for the filing of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against them.

“A key to the successful resolution of kidnap situations remains to be the trust and close cooperation between the victims’ relatives and military authorities in the area,” Arevalo said.

Kidnapped NGO workers

Last Sept. 15, Abu Sayyaf members abducted five workers of a non-government organization (NGO) engaged in development projects in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

The bandits, believed to be led by Furuji Indama, subsequently released Ludivina Dekit, Romy de los Reyes and Jun Estandarte to Tipo-Tipo Mayor Tong Istarul.

They are still holding NGO workers Esperanzita Hupida and Millet Mendoza. Hupida is the program director of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc.

The NGO workers were kidnapped in Barangay Cabangalan in Tipo-Tipo town while they were on the way back to Isabela City after visiting some project sites.

The Marines have halted their pursuit operations to give way to negotiations by a crisis committee.

A source, however, said the kidnappers have not opened any negotiations despite many people interested in facilitating the release of Hupida and Mendoza.

“The Abu Sayyaf is now playing hard to get from the local negotiators because of its interest to negotiate with a high-profile national politician,” the source said.

Tipo-Tipo municipal administrator Alton Angeles confirmed the sightings of the two hostages in Barangay Limbutas.

“The kidnappers (though) were mobile to avoid possible contact with government forces,” Angeles said.

Angeles said many local parties are trying to help in the negotiations, but could not confirm the report about the national politician who is allegedly keen on the case.

Fr. Angel Calvo, chairman of Nagdilaab Foundation Inc., clarified that Mendoza is not a worker of the Christian Children Fund as reported but a worker of another NGO group based in Basilan.

Calvo said there has been no contact yet with the kidnappers. – With Roel Pareño