After five days, ABS-CBN's assistant cameraman Angelo
Valderama was released last Thursday, June 12, by his captors. The armed gunmen
who kidnapped him are believed to be part of the group led by Albader Parad of
the Abu Sayyaf and Gafur Jumdail of the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari
breakaway group.
Ces Drilon, 46, was kidnapped in Sulu along with cameramen Angelo, Jimmy
Encarnacion, and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo last
Sunday afternoon. According to reports of ABS-CBN News, the broadcast
journalist and her cameraman Jimmy are "healthy and well."
According to GMANews.TV, Undersecretary Amilasan Amilbajar of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao said that a P2-million "board and lodging fee" was paid in exchange for Valderama's freedom.
"[Angelo] Valderama is finally freed. He will undergo medical examination and debriefing by government authorities. We are still waiting for developments on the other hostages," said Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief.
Here is the statement given by the Drilon family, as disseminated by ABS-CBN earlier today, June 14:
"Ces has always taken a special interest in the welfare of Mindanao. In spite of the risk of her profession and the additional dangers of going to Jolo, Ces and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion braved the trip for a story about the struggles of Mindanao.
"Our family has always had mixed feelings about Ces' chosen career.
"We are proud that she is a passionate and dedicated journalist, committed to reporting the news for the benefit of the nation.
"To us, she is primarily a loved daughter, sister and mother of four young children. We have been fearful about the risks she has courageously taken to bring the news to all of us Filipinos. We are painfully experiencing this fear and heartache right now.
"We are grateful beyond words to all the people who are helping us get Ces and Jimmy back. We would like to thank the government, the authorities, and the local government of Sulu for their persistent efforts to secure their release. Please don't give up. We are counting on you and are praying for your efforts.
"We are not giving up even on the people who continue to hold Ces and Jimmy captive. We have already tried our very best to have them released. Now, we can only hope and pray that the kidnappers have a change of mind and heart and see the good that will come out of releasing Ces and Jimmy."