2008 Maimbung kidnappings

Last updated

2008 Maimbung kidnappings
Part of Moro conflict
Location Maimbung, Sulu, Philippines
Date (2008-June-03) (2008-June-12)June 3–12, 2008
(9 days)
Target Ces Drilon
Jimmy Encarnacion
Angelo Valderrama
Octavio Dinampo
Attack type
Kidnapping
Perpetrators Abu Sayyaf

The 2008 Maimbung kidnappings were a terrorist incident in the Philippines in June 2008, where ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drilon and news cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderrama were abducted in Sulu by al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants.

Contents

Kidnapping

Drilon's team was invited by Professor Octavio Dinampo, an academic at the Mindanao State University–Sulu, to visit. On 3 June 2008, Dinampo picked Drilon and associates up from their hostel, and their car was ambushed by militants while they were driving to the university. Drilon, Dinampo, news cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderrama were all abducted by al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants. [1] [2] The militants were led by Albader Parad, an Abu Sayyaf leader and Gapur Jundain, former member of the Moro National Liberation Front. [3]

Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), announced that: "They are being fed well, they are well and alive, they are not tied up and they are able to move around, but they are being escorted." Ransom was allegedly demanded, ranging from 10 million to ₱30 million (US$410,000 and US$630,000). Drilon was the third local journalist to be kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf after 2000. [4]

Release and deadline

The militants released Valderama on June 12, after a ransom payment of ₱100,000 pesos (US$2,250). Negotiator Isnaji Alvarez stated that the abductors gave Drilon's family until June 17 to pay US$1.12 million, but a deadline for the other two hostages was unclear. [5] Xinhua, reported that the "militants have set a deadline of Tuesday noon for a ransom of ₱15 million pesos (US$337,079)". [6] Isnaji earlier said "the abductors demanded 20 million pesos (US$450,000) in ransom". [7] Minutes before the deadline, the kidnappers "indefinitely" extended the deadline for the release of Drilon and her companions. [8]

Drilon and her companions were released on June 17, 2008, [9] following negotiations with Philippine security officials. Oreña-Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Octavio Dinampo were picked up in Talipao, Indanan, Sulu, by Mayor Alvarez Isnaji at midnight.

Drilon and her crew met Grechie and Frank Oreña, Drilon's siblings, with Loren Legarda and Maria Ressa on June 18, in Zamboanga City, at the La Vista del Mar Beach Resort. [10] They arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Zamboanga International Airport around 2:00 PM for a short press conference, and underwent a medical checkup at Medical City Hospital in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

Senator Loren Legarda, a negotiator, said the refusal of ABS-CBN and the government to pay a ransom, and the deployment of troops around Indanan, prompted the release. [11] Al Jazeera's reporter, Veronica Pedrosa, stated "a military offensive near the kidnappers' camp had apparently helped free the hostages". [12] Drilon stated that she was betrayed by someone who delivered her to the kidnappers and the Abu Sayyaf militants threatened to behead them: "There was some betrayal involved and that is why we were kidnapped; I thought I was so reckless" AFP reported that a ransom was paid "following talks between the Abu Sayyaf and Senator Loren Legarda." [13] The Canadian Press stated that "There were speculations that as much as $337,000 in ransom was paid for their release. Drilon condemned the abductors, who tied them and slapped her during the dire detention." [14] AHN, however, reported that the release was made in exchange for livelihood assistance instead of a ransom. [15] Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon stated: "She told me, General I'm sorry you were dragged into this. I told her, it's not a problem, it's our job to ensure your safe return". [16]

Arrest and investigation

Octavio Dinampo, on June 20, stated that Mayor Alvarez Isnaji "pocketed" much of the first ransom of ₱5 million (US$112,500). Isnaji's lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, however, said his client was innocent and was being prosecuted for political reasons: "If you examine the background of Mayor Isnaji, there is no instance in the past that he was involved in any criminal activity." Raul M. Gonzalez said "Isnaji was a highly respected politician in Jolo who plans to run for governor of the Muslim autonomous region, which includes the island, in August." [17] Gonzalez and PNP Director General Avelino Razon Jr. affirmed that Isnaji "kept to himself ₱3 million (US$67,568) and paid the kidnappers ₱2 million (US$45,045) (from the Drilon family)". [18] Razon Jr. showed pictures of Isnaji, his son, Haider, and Sulu Vice-Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla gathered around the ₱5 million ransom, with Senior Superintendent Willy Quidato. Meanwhile, Dinampo and Sulu provincial police director Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said that guide Juamil "Mameng" Biyaw betrayed the ABS-CBN team. [19]

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed the complaint to the Department of Justice on June 20, against Isnaji, his son Haider, and 14 Abu Sayyaf members, for the kidnapping. Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angel Valderama personally signed the complaint. Razon Jr. implicated at least 3 relatives of Isnaji: "Three of the suspects are relatives of the mayor, but we have not identified them by name". Razon also affirmed an inquiry into a supposed second ransom concerning 2 duffel bags flown into Sulu via a South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) flight hours before the hostages' release. [20] DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno also said that Isnaji and his son may have masterminded the abduction: "The kidnappers themselves were double-crossed." [21]

On October 11, 2008, Al-Qaeda linked members of ASG Asma Awang, Makambian Sakilan, Tagayan Sakilan, and Marcial Totoh Jabarot, all from Talipao, Sulu were arrested by the Sixth Marine Battalion Landing Team in Jolo. Suspect Adjili Sakilan was killed, and 4 others fled. Meanwhile, the Sulu Philippine National Police and Task Force Comet announced a probe into Asma Awang and relatives Makambian Sakilan and Tagayan Sakilan in Drilon's abduction. [22] Further, Lt. Colonel Ernesto Torres Jr said Devaro was a member of Abu Sayyaf from 2000 under Kumander Tahil Salih. [23]

Documentary

Kidnap, a documentary on Drilon's kidnapping was made and aired by ABS-CBN on July 13, 2008. [24] However, the Department of Justice per government prosecutors warned ABS-CBN against airing any video footage, alleging that it would affect the pending investigation's outcome. [25] The documentary was aired on ABS-CBN on July 13, 2011. [24]

Suspension of Drilon

On July 5, 2008, Drilon was imposed with a 3-month suspension as news anchor of Bandila and as senior correspondent by ABS-CBN, for disobeying orders dissuading her from going to Sulu. Her actions were deemed as a violation of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs's Standards and Ethics Manual. Earlier, Ces apologized "for unwittingly endangering lives." Maria Ressa noted the "grave consequences of her error in judgment." [26] [27] On October 6, 2008, Drilon returned as co-anchor of Bandila after the suspension's lapse. [28] [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Sayyaf</span> Jihadist militant group in the southwestern Philippines

Abu Sayyaf, officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that followed the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It is based in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines, where for more than five decades, Moro groups had been engaged in an insurgency seeking to make Moro Province independent. The group is considered violent and is responsible for the Philippines' worst terrorist attack, the bombing of MV Superferry 14 in 2004, which killed 116 people. The name of the group was derived from Arabic abu, and sayyaf. As of April 2023, the group was estimated to have about 20 members, down from 1,250 in 2000. They use mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles.

The Dos Palmas kidnappings was a hostage crisis in southern Philippines that began with the seizing of twenty hostages from the affluent Dos Palmas Resort on a private island in Honda Bay, Palawan, by members of Abu Sayyaf on May 27, 2001, and resulted in the deaths of at least five of the original hostages. Three of these hostages were American citizens, Guillermo Sobero, and a married missionary couple, Gracia and Martin Burnham. At least 22 Filipino soldiers were killed in attempts to apprehend the captors and free the hostages in the 12 months following the initial hostage taking. An unknown number of captors were killed by government forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radullan Sahiron</span> Filipino Islamist militant

Radullan Sahiron is a Filipino Islamic militant who is the leader of Abu Sayyaf. He is said to have taken command of the organization following the death of Khadaffy Janjalani in September 2006.

2008 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 2008.

Cecilia "Ces" Victoria Oreña-Drilon is a Filipino broadcast journalist. She presented news and public affairs programs for the News and Current Affairs division of ABS-CBN Corporation from 1989 to 2020. She is currently the host of the nationally syndicated afternoon public service program Basta Promdi, Lodi via RMN-DZXL in Metro Manila and in key cities in the Philippines.

Albader Parad was a senior leader of Abu Sayyaf, a group of Islamic militants in the Philippines with links to al-Qaeda. He led the kidnapping of three International Committee of the Red Cross workers in 2009 and was implicated in the 2000 Sipadan kidnappings, where 20 foreign tourists and a Filipino were abducted from the Sipadan Island Diving Resort in Sandakan, Sabah in Malaysia.

The 2000 Sipadan kidnappings was a hostage crisis in Sabah, Malaysia, and the southern Philippines that began with the seizing of twenty-one hostages from the dive resort island of Sipadan at approximately 6:15 p.m. on 23 April 2000, by up to six Abu Sayyaf (ASG) bandits. Taken hostage were 10 tourists from Europe and the Middle East and 11 Malaysian resort workers, 19 non-Filipino nationals in total. The hostages were taken to an Abu Sayyaf base in Jolo, Sulu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aliguay</span>

Aliguay is an island in the Philippines, and a barangay of Dapitan. The island is an established marine sanctuary. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches and coral reefs. There are no water sources on the island. A few residents live on Aliguay Island, mostly selling fish to tourists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvarez Isnaji</span> Former Governor of ARMM

Alvarez Silal Isnaji is a Filipino politician who served as acting governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after Nur Misuari was removed in 2001. He briefly served as the governor of ARMM in September 3, 2001 until October 11, 2001 when Nur Misuari went on an official leave. He was succeeded by Parouk Hussin on December 27, 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross border attacks in Sabah</span> 1962–present Moro attacks in Sabah, Malaysia

The cross border attacks in Sabah are a series of cross border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Moro pirates from Mindanao, Philippines, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, that began even before the British colonial period. Many civilians have died or suffered during these incidents, causing an increase in anti-Filipino sentiment among the native peoples of Sabah, especially after major attacks in 1985, 2000 and 2013. The attacks were more intense during the presidential terms of Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos, who supported irredentist claims to include eastern Sabah as part of the Philippines territory. In addition, recent infiltration and attacks by militants as well as uncontrolled human migration from Mindanao to Sabah has led to more unease sentiments among the local residents of Sabah, with around 78% of prison inmates that were caught in the state due to involvement in criminal activities and lawlessness issues mainly originating from the southern Philippines.

This article contains a timeline of events from January 2016 to December 2016 related to the IS-linked Abu Sayyaf. This article contains information about the events committed by or on behalf of the Abu Sayyaf, as well as events performed by groups who oppose them.

The following is a list of attacks which have been carried out by Abu Sayyaf, a militant group based in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines, where for more than four decades, Moro groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country.

Robert Ward Hall was a Canadian citizen kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Philippines on 21 September 2015, and beheaded nine months later near Patikul, Sulu.

Abu Sayyaf was a radical Sunni Islamist group that has aggressively attacked civilians since the 1990s. It was notorious for beheading both military and civilian captives, especially when kidnap-for-ransom demands are not met. The victims included Filipinos, as well as foreign nationals. Abu Sayyaf primarily operated in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago of the southern Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Lamitan</span> Siege during the Moro conflict

The siege of Lamitan took place on 2 June 2001 when members of the Islamic terrorist group Abu Sayyaf entered the city of Lamitan, one of two Christian settlements in the predominantly Muslim province of Basilan in the Philippines. They took over a church and a hospital and held priests, medical staff and patients hostage. Government forces surrounded the Muslim extremists, preventing their escape. However, the Abu Sayyaf group managed to break out of the cordon by using their hostages as human shields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Bohol clashes</span> Armed conflicts

The 2017 Bohol clashes were armed conflicts that took place in April and May 2017 between Philippine security forces and Moro ISIL-affiliated militants led by members of the Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol, Philippines. Three Philippine Army soldiers, a policeman, four terrorists and two civilians were killed during the initial firefight. Subsequent firefights between the remaining militants and security forces resulted in the deaths of all the Abu Sayyaf insurgents. A ranking officer of the Philippine National Police linked to Abu Sayyaf attempted to rescue some of the insurgents but was arrested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Marawi</span> 2017 conflict between the Philippine government and the Maute Group

The siege of Marawi, also known as the Marawi crisis and the Battle of Marawi, was a five-month-long armed conflict in Marawi, Philippines, that started on May 23, 2017, between Philippine government security forces against militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups. The battle also became the longest urban battle in the modern history of the Philippines.

This is a chronology of the Moro conflict, an ongoing armed conflict in the southern Philippines between jihadist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Maute Group, Jemaah Islamiyah, and Islamic State affiliates, mainstream separatist groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the Philippine Government since 1971. Much of the fighting has been concentrated on the island of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, with spillover incidents and attacks occurring in the Philippine capital Manila and neighboring countries such as Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Jolo Cathedral bombings</span> 2019 bombing of Jolo Cathedral in Sulu, Philippines

In the morning of January 27, 2019, two bombs exploded at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines. Twenty people were killed and 102 others injured. The bombings took place a week after the autonomy plebiscite held on January 21 for the creation of Bangsamoro. It is believed that the Abu Sayyaf carried out the attacks, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility. President Rodrigo Duterte responded by issuing an "all-out war" directive against the Abu Sayyaf. The bombings were widely condemned by other countries and organizations.

The 2020 Jolo bombings occurred on August 24, 2020, when insurgents alleged to be jihadists from the Abu Sayyaf group detonated two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and wounding 75 others. The first occurred as Philippine Army personnel were assisting in carrying out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The second, a suicide bombing, was carried out near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

References

  1. Merueñas, Mark (June 18, 2008). "Abductors threatened to behead me many times - cameraman". GMA News Online. GMA Network. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  2. "Committee to Protect Journalists concerned for safety of kidnapped Filipino TV crew". International Herald Tribune. Herald. June 10, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  3. "Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants abduct 3-person TV team in Philippines". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. June 9, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
  4. "Philippine TV crew held hostage". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  5. "Philippine kidnappers set Tuesday deadline for hostage release". June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  6. news.xinhuanet.com, Militants set ultimatum for kidnapped Philippine journalist
  7. "Tuesday deadline set to ransom kidnapped Philippine journalists". The Canadian Press. June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  8. "Drilon kidnappers extend deadline 'indefinitely'--negotiator". Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  9. "Ces Oreña-Drilon, companions freed". Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  10. "Abducted journalist reunites with family". SunStar . June 18, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  11. Alcuaz Jr., Francisco (June 18, 2008). "Philippine Extremists Free TV Presenter, Two Hostages (Update2)". Bloomberg . Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  12. "english.aljazeera.net, Philippine TV crew released". Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  13. "Muslim kidnappers free Philippine TV crew after payments". June 19, 2008. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  14. "Abu Sayyaf militants release kidnapped journalists in the Southern Philippines". The Canadian Press. June 18, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  15. "Kidnappers Free Philippine TV News Crew, Prof In Exchange For Livelihood Aid". June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  16. philstar.com, Drilon apologizes to Razon
  17. "khaleejtimes.com, Negotiator kept 60 percent of Philippines TV crew's ransom (AFP)". Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  18. Alberto, Thea; Torres, Tetch (June 20, 2008). "TV reporter's family paid P5M but mayor kept P3M--officials". Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  19. philstar.com, Sulu Police: Guide betrayed ABS-CBN team
  20. "PNP links 3 more relatives of Isnaji to Drilon kidnapping". GMA News Online. GMA Network. June 20, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  21. "Puno: Proof indicates Isnaji masterminded kidnapping". GMA News Online. GMA Network. June 20, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  22. Quismundo, Tarra (October 11, 2008). "3 nabbed Abus possibly in Drilon kidnap". Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  23. "Another alleged Sayyaf bandit in Drilon kidnapping arrested". GMA News Online. GMA Network. October 12, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  24. 1 2 "Ces, Angelo and Jimmy tell all in "Kidnap" documentary on ABS-CBN". ABS-CBN News . July 10, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  25. Guinto, Joel (July 11, 2008). "Prosecution warns ABS-CBN vs airing kidnap footage". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on August 3, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  26. "ABS-CBN suspends Drilon for 3 months". July 5, 2008. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  27. Maria Ressa breaks silence on Ces Drilon kidnapping
  28. Doe, John (October 6, 2008). "Ces Drilon returns to 'Bandila'" . Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  29. Ong, James (October 5, 2008). "Ces Drilon: Life interrupted". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2020.