The families of kidnapped ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion have appealed for their freedom after abductors demanded a P15-million ransom.
Drilon’s sister and the daughter of Encarnacion pleaded with members of the Abu Sayyaf who are holding the two hostage in the jungles of Sulu province.
"We’re doing everything to get them free, but you must understand that we do have some limitations," Grech Oreña said over local radio on the southern island of Jolo, where her 46-year-old sister has been held captive for over a week.
The 15-year old daughter of Encarnacion also appealed for compassion.
"We need our father," Joy Encarnacion said. "We don’t know where to get money for our school."
The three-person TV crew of Drilon, Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama and their guide, university professor Octavio Dinampo, were kidnapped over a week ago. Valderama was released last week.
Isnaji Alvarez, a local Muslim rebel leader and the mayor of Indanan town, where the crew and professor were being held, said he was a given a deadline to pay the ransom by noon on Tuesday.
"I was told there would be no more negotiations after the ultimatum," Alvarez, handpicked by the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf to negotiate with the families, said.
Drilon’s employer, ABS-CBN, has repeatedly said it would not pay a ransom and disputed comments from Alvarez, who said the station was not giving the families any support.
"We are saddened and troubled by accusations that ABS-CBN has abandoned Ces and Jimmy," the network said in a statement. "ABS-CBN is doing everything it can to help them and their families through this harrowing ordeal."
On Tuesday morning, Isnaji said the kidnappers cut off all contact hours before their self-imposed deadline.
Isnaji said he was working to secure safe passage from authorities for an emissary to try to reach the kidnappers.
"I have been trying to get in touch with them since yesterday," Isnaji told a Manila-based radio station. "I have sent them (mobile phone) text messages hoping that they would reply, but they have not."
On Monday, the government P500,000 bounty for two Abu Sayyaf leaders held responsible for the kidnapping.
On Sunday, the military shelled rebel positions in Indanan town but denied that the operation had anything to do with the kidnapping.
The 300-member Abu Sayyaf, which relies on ransoms to fund its operations, has made Jolo a no-go area for foreigners due to its reputation for decapitations and kidnapping
