BY RAYMOND AFRICA

THE families of ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion who are being held in a bandit lair in Sulu yesterday appealed for their release.

The appeal was made following the release of assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama Thursday night.

"We, the families of Ces Drilon and Jimmy Encarnacion are happy and deeply relieved that Angelo (Valderama) has been freed. We appeal to the kidnappers to also immediately release Ces and Jimmy as an act of compassion and humanity," the families said in a statement.

The three were abducted Sunday in Maimbung, Sulu together with Octavio Dinampo, a professor at the Mindanao State University.

ABS-CBN has said they were kidnapped for ransom. But it also said it was adhering to its policy of no ransom so as not to encourage kidnapping activities.

ABS-CBN did not say how much the kidnappers are asking. Reports placed the ransom demand from P10 million to P50 million.

Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Indanan town, who is leading the negotiations for the hostages' freedom, belied reports that P2 million was paid for Valderama's release. But Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Anne Sahidula, who is also among negotiators, reportedly gave the abductors P100,000 for "board and lodging" expenses.

Malacañang is hoping no ransom was paid.

"The government frowns on the payment of ransom," said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

Bunye also said the Palace is hoping that Drilon and Encarnacion will also be safely released soon.

PNP chief Avelino Razon who is in Sulu was quoted as saying in a radio interview that the negotiations "going on smoothly and we expect that the remaining hostages will be freed today (Friday)."

But a source privy to the negotiations said it would take about a week more.

Authorities have not confirmed which group is holding the ABS-CBN news team. Earlier reports said it the group of Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad.

Senate President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada said government should go after armed groups and stop preying on critics like the media and the opposition.

"We have a case of kidnapping in Sulu, yet this same administration that has consistently showed a tough stance against its critics and the media has not, up to now, lifted a finger to go after the bandits, and there are even reports that it is entertaining the idea of negotiating with the kidnappers," he said.

He said it appears government is tough and vicious in crushing legitimate dissent but soft on cornering the "bullies" in the South.

"Whenever scandals and controversies about the administration get uncovered, it has always been fast to blame critics, especially the legitimate political opposition and the militant groups. One latest instance of this was amidst the noise generated by the rice and energy crises, when the administration was again quick to declare it as another destabilization attempt," he said.