Don't worry, be patient, Sulu exec tells Ces Drilon

MANILA, Philippines - Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla on Saturday advised ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria Oreña-Drilon to be patient, reassuring the kidnap victim that efforts were underway for her release. In an interview on dzRH radio, Sahidulla said she managed to talk to Drilon, who asked the governor about developments on efforts to secure her release from the hands of a faction of Abu Sayyaf militants. "(Tanong niya), ano na development. Sabi ko don't worry, be patient, magbibigay tayo ng pera (She asked about the latest developments. I told her not to worry and to be patient, that we will raise the money)," Sahidulla said. She indicated that the money — about P2 million — would be given to the Abu Sayyaf abductors for the "board and lodging" of Drilon, cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama, and university professor Octavio Dimampo. Valderama was released Thursday night. Sahidullah said at least P100,000 in "board and lodging" was paid for his release. Also, she said Valderama's release was a sign that the kidnappers would keep their word of releasing Drilon's group. "Nanghingi ng board and lodging nila, pagkain lang. Puwede sana sabi namin ipakita na mabuti kayong kausap. Kung puwede sana mailabas sana isa man lang sa kanila para ipakitang susunod kayo sa usapan natin. After two hours nag-isip sila then tumawag uli sabi okay dalhin ang pera sa kanila (They asked for board and lodging, for food. We asked them for a sign of goodwill by releasing one of the hostages. After two hours they agreed and told us to deliver the money)," she said. Both the government and ABS-CBN television network said they would not pay "ransom" for the release of the hostages. Sahidullah also indicated that the P2 million was the result of "haggling" for the payment of the victims' "board and lodging," instead of the P10-million ransom. "Di puwedeng ganoon kataas. Panindigan namin na P2 million lang, 'yan ang totoo (We cannot allow the ransom of even P10 million. We can allow up to P2 million, that's the truth)," she said. - GMANews.TV