Rebels Threaten More Killings in Philippines
M A N I L A, Philippines, June 25, 2001 -- A Muslim extremist leader responsiblefor the abduction of dozens of hostages threatened Monday to killmore of his captives if the Philippine government doesn't accepthis choice of negotiators.
Speaking by satellite telephone from the jungles of Basilanisland in the south, Abu Sabaya told The Associated Press he willonly issue a list of demands once a former Malaysian senator, aMalaysian businessman and a Filipino official are brought in tomediate. All three were involved in a hostage crisis last year involvingSabaya's group, the Abu Sayyaf, that ended with the reportedpayment of millions of dollars in ransoms. Sabaya earlier demanded the two Malaysians get involved, and hadthreatened to kill Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif., otherwise.Faced with a Sabaya-imposed deadline two weeks ago, the governmentagreed to allow one — but Sabaya claimed he killed Sobero the nextday after troops clashed with his men.
Warns of More Beheadings
On Monday, he warned of more beheadings, including that ofMartin Burnham, who is being held with wife Gracia, both 41, ofWichita, Kan. Sabaya claimed the beheadings could spread the Musliminsurgency under way in the southern Philippines to Malaysia andbeyond. "I'm saying our demand is not money," Sabaya said. "If wechop off the heads of people like Mr. Burnham, the Americans wouldintervene, and so would the Arabs and (Osama) bin Laden's groups.What will happen then to the Philippines?" The Philippine government has said the Abu Sayyaf gets at leastsome backing from Osama bin Laden, the wealthy Saudi accused ofmasterminding terrorist attacks. "The main reason here is freedom. Our other demands we willdisclose through the negotiators," Sabaya said. "If it was only for money, we made money from Sipadan," headded, referring to the abduction 21 people, including 10foreigners, from a Malaysian dive resort in April 2000. "Ourprinciples are more expensive."
Families as Weakness?
Asked if he would demand the release of Hector Janjalani, thebrother of Abu Sayyaf co-founder Khaddafy Janjalani, who is jailedin Manila, Sabaya said: "Not necessarily. The government wouldalways snatch our families. That would be interpreted as one of ourweaknesses." Sabaya said he could not put any of the hostages on the phonebecause he had climbed a mountain to get better reception for thecall. He traditionally has telephoned Radio Mindanao Network tomake statements, but the government has discouraged the stationfrom airing his comments as part of a news blackout. The military said Monday that troops clashed briefly Sunday withthe Muslim extremists, but there was no sign of the captives. Itwas the first contact with the Abu Sayyaf in more than a week, andthe military said it was meant to divert them from the mainguerrilla group holding the hostages. About 20 people, including the three Americans, were seized froma beach resort across the Sulu Sea on May 27 and taken by speedboatto Basilan, nearly 300 miles away. Later, the rebels seized otherhostages at the coconut plantation and a hospital they brieflyoccupied.
Hostages Are 'OK'
"They're OK," Sabaya said of the hostages. "We have dividedthem into different groups." Three Filipino hostages were released June 14 with a letter forPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo demanding an end to the militaryoffensive in return for the release of some captives. Arroyo, who has offered $2 million for the capture of Abu Sayyafleaders, rejected the offer. She said Abu Sayyaf leaders had onlytwo choices: surrender or die. But "that has no effect, her threats of us being pulverized,"Sabaya said. Even with their deaths, the group would live on, hesaid. He also questioned whether another Abu Sayyaf leader, known asCommander Robot, would carry through with his announced plans tosurrender with 17 of his sub-commanders.