Comments on: Ransom for Ces Drilon and Company: To Pay or Not To Pay

By: The Warrior Lawyer

The Warrior Lawyer — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:40:56 +0000

@ Markh: Sen. Pong Biazon, in an interview with Radio Mindanao Network, says he doubts very much if no ransom was paid. He should know. He served for many years in numerous Mindanao trouble spots, where he in fact made his stars, and was Marine commandant at a time when the Sulu-Basilan area was in constant turmoil. It makes no sense for the kidnappers to go to all this trouble and get nothing in the end, per Biazon. In fact, he says his asset in Sulu revealed that the ransom got bigger as more people were drawn into the vortex of the kidnapping. The kidnappers had to move Ces and company constantly, and had to rely on the support of other groups and individuals in other areas, who all expected a cut. Not to mention the various “facilitators” along the negotiation chain.

By: the jester-in-exile

the jester-in-exile — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:40:31 +0000

i quoted your comment as part of my take on the news embargo, butch. i hope i understood you correctly.

By: Markh

Markh — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:08:58 +0000

ces drilon and company freed, without ramson ? … i think not, only a fool would believe so… the goverment and abs-cbn clearly wants us to believe that they are sticking to their “no ramson policy”, but only a fool would believe that this is what happened..

By: The Warrior Lawyer

The Warrior Lawyer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:44:52 +0000

@ Addie, yes ABS-CBN certainly had a heyday covering the Fr. Bossi kidnapping and other high-profile crimes. For it to call a media embargo appears for many to be the height of arrogance and hypocricy, for its sudden display of restraint and rectitude when the victims are its own. The question begs to be asked, should those who work for a powerful and influential media conglomerate be given special treatment ?

By: Ces Drilon’s Abu Sayyaf Kidnappers Give Ultimatum » The Warrior Lawyer | Philippine Lawyer

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:33:04 +0000

[...] | About | Privacy Policy | Contact Me « Ransom for Ces Drilon and Company: To Pay or Not To Pay [...]

By: addie

addie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:21:23 +0000

i don’t understand why a news blackout is necessary. is it because drilon is an employee of one of the biggest companies in the philippines? is that how powerful the lopezes are? if so, then i am more sorry for our country than ever. they take command over everything.

to make myself explicit, this is a tragedy. kidnapping has always been a tragedy. and i feel for ces drilon and her crew. i feel for their anxious families.

but how are their lives more important than those priests, children and everybody else that are kidnapped here in the philippines? remember reverend bossi? wasn’t his case made VERY public in 2007, especially by abs-cbn???

By: The Warrior Lawyer

The Warrior Lawyer — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:07:24 +0000

@Splice, I wonder what the other conditions would be ? The longer the kidnappers hang on to Ms. Drilon the better for them, pubclicity-wise and in terms of ransom. I agree, they are holding out for more. Poor Ces Drilon, a pawn of political and business forces over which, despite being a well-known personality, she has little influence or control over. What she needs to do now is keep out of harm’s way and stay alive unril she is ransomed, in one form or another.

By: The Warrior Lawyer

The Warrior Lawyer — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:28:26 +0000

Exactly, Beth. Like I said, they would call it anything but “ransom”. A rose by any other name….

By: beth

beth — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:29:57 +0000

based on latest news ABS-CBN crew member freed -- negotiator said

One of three TV journalists abducted by suspected Moro extremists was freed after five days in captivity in the southern Philippines late Thursday, and an official said a P2-million “board and lodging fee” was paid. ABS-CBN cameraman Angelo Valderama was released around 7:30 p.m. to Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula, said Undersecretary Amilasan Amilbajar of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Amilbajar said a P2-million "board and lodging fee" was paid in exchange for his freedom.

By: [splice]

[splice] — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:07:05 +0000

I have a strong feeling that the ransom is just a part of a series of conditions for the release of Ms Drilon. There really isn’t much that ABS can do other than to follow the demands of the bandits. They control the ball. Otherwise, who knows what might happen to the journalist along with her crew.

The sad thing with this is that it will further tolerate the activities of the Abus.