BY VICTOR REYES and RAYMOND AFRICA

THE Abu Sayyaf holding ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her two cameramen in Sulu is demanding P10 million for each of the hostages, a security official said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A group of local officials and civilians are negotiating for the release of Drilon and her crewmen who were snatched Sunday in barangay Kulasi, Maimbung, Sulu.

A correspondent of ABS-CBN said Drilon and her crew are alive and well.

The management of ABS-CBN network on Wednesday said it would strictly adhere to its policy on no ransom payment so as not to encourage the bandits in their kidnapping activities.

On Wednesday, or four days after Drilon's group was reported "missing," it confirmed the group was kidnapped for ransom but did not give any figure.

The security official said the three hostages have been separated from each other and each is guarded by around 30 bandits.

He said Drilon is being kept by the Abu Sayyaf in Talipao town while the two cameramen are in Indanan town but in separate areas.

"More or less, they are 15 kilometers away from each other, air distance," the official said.

Noel Alamar, a correspondent of the TV and radio network who is now in Sulu, said an emissary told him Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama are being held in the bandits' lair somewhere in the tri-boundaries of Indanan, Talipao, and Maimbung.

He said the emissary also told him the three are being treated well by their captors.

"Nung mga unang araw daw sa pagkakakuha sa kanila ay nakatali ang mga kamay nila Encarnacion at Valderama. Pero ngayon (Thursday) ay inalis na daw ang tali sa kanilang mga kamay at hindi na raw masyadong restricted ang kilos nila," Alamar said.

He said the bandits led by commander Gapur Jumdail and Albader Parad have been demanding ransom but he could not confirm the amount.

"Palipat lipat sila ng lugar na pinagtataguan sa kanila. Mayroon din hinihinging negotiator ang mga kumuha sa kanila," he added.

SOMETHING POSITIVE

Chief Supt. Joel R. Goltiao, chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said negotiations are ongoing.

"We're hoping for some positive developments, maybe within the next few days but we are not setting any deadline," Goltiao said.

Goltiao said a "negotiator" whom he did not identify is leading the government's effort to free Drilon and her crew. The negotiator's initial goal, among others, is to meet Drlion and the others face to face.

"He is yet to make any personal contact with them but he is using all means of communications in talking with them. Yes, he has made contact with them," Goltiao said without giving details.

Drilon's group was with Octavio Dinampo, a professor of the Mindanao State University, who reportedly invited the group to Sulu to cover an event in barangay Kulasi.

The four were on board a yellow Toyota Tamaraw Jitney when they were blocked by the group Albader Parad and Gapul Jumdail.

They were then hauled off to the nearby barangay Karawan in Indanan town.

BENIGN, EXTREME OPTIONS

Goltiao said initial investigations showed Drilon and her two assistants arrived at the Jolo airport 2:45 p.m. Saturday on board a Sea Air flight. They then proceeded to the Sulu State College hostel in Patikul and got two rooms.

Reports said Drilon and her crew hurriedly left the hostel Sunday morning, leaving packed foods they ordered at the hostel good for 20 persons.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the group is well but government forces are prepared to use arms if needed, to secure their release.

"We have several options from the most benign option to the extreme use of our arms but all these options we will withhold pending the other activities on the ground so we would not rather telegraph our moves," he said.

He said the group is "still missing and we are still monitoring developments with the PNP."

He said initial information is that the Abu Sayyaf might be involved.

Yano said government would not negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf.

Asked if there is any proof that the four are alive and well, Yano said: "We have information from the committee on the ground.I'd rather not go into the details. Suffice to say there is proof of life."

GETTING DESPERATE

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said it is a government policy not to negotiate with terrorists.

On whether the kidnapping means the resurgence of the Abu Sayyaf which the military earlier said has less than 400 members remaining, Teodoro said: "I view it as their getting more desperate. The fewer they become, the weaker they become, the more desperate they become."

Teodoro said journalists should not be interviewing the Abu Sayyaf but if they insist on dong so, they should be aware of possible consequences.

"You do so at your own risk... you want to go there despite the warnings, you take the consequence," he said.

"We can reduce the issue to simple rules. One is to use common sense. The Abu Sayyaf is a known criminal group or gang which does not respect life or limb. Whether you're a journalist or not, the mere fact that you want to meet or you want to see the Abu Sayyaf is already something that should not be done. members of media and other civilians should not even deal with (terrorist) organizations or attempt to do so. They put their lives at extreme peril."

ONE NEGOTIATOR

Vice President Noli de Castro said ABS-CBN should not interfere in negotiations.

"They should let the negotiations be handled by the government or by the experts. At dapat isa lang ang negotiator para iisang tao lang ang kakausapin ng mga abductors," he said.