24 August 2000 - ABS-CBN

US, Malaysia help vs. Abu Sayyaf rejected

MANILA, (ABS-CBN) - The Philippine government is not losing hope it could still handle the four-month-old hostage crisis on its own, even as President Estrada rejected on Monday the offer of the United States and Malaysian governments to help.

"We don't need it anymore. We can handle it," the President said in Filipino in a chance interview at the Villamor Air Base before flying to Mindanao for the third leg of his visit to the region.

The Malaysian government offered its help in securing the release of the remaining hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, while the US government said it will help the government in anyway it can to combat the bandits.

The US government, through its spokesman Thomas Skipper, said that since the Abu Sayyaf is included in the US State Department watchlist, it is now committed to help the Philippine government combat the terrorist group.

Skipper was quoted as saying that Washington "is committed to helping in any way it can to combat terroristic groups."

The form of US assistance "would depend on what sort of help is requested," according to Skipper.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad also said that his government is willing to help the country secure the release of the hostages. It was not the first time that Malaysia has offered help to facilitate the release of the hostages.

Press undersecretary Mike Toledo said in a press briefing that it would really be impossible that the government would welcome such gesture of support from the two foreign governments.

The Estrada administration views the crisis as an internal problem, Toledo explained.

"This is a matter that is within the Philippine jurisdiction. We are handling it as best as we can. The foreign governments and ministers of the countries from which these hostages come from have showed their support in more ways than one and they have reiterated their support in the way the Philippine government is handling the situation," he said.

Until now, there is no indication that the government may change its position regarding the offer to help, Toledo said.

However, the press undersecretary stated that the government remains supportive of the campaign against global terrorism.

"In terms of the issue of terrorism as a whole, we would welcome the help of the United States in the fight involving global terrorism," Toledo said, as he added that the offer of the US to combat the Abu Sayyaf remains far-fetched.

Military options, according to Toledo, are not being discussed right now because of the policy that the government wanted the safe release of the hostages.

Normal practice
According to military officials, the reported assistance of the United States and Malaysia in combatting the extremist Abu Sayyaf is a "normal" practice among allied countries.

In an interview, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga said such cooperation is expected of countries looking for solutions to common problems.

"That's normal (US and Malaysian offer ). We have intelligence exchange cooperation with friendly nations looking for common solutions to common problems," Senga said.

"Terrorism is an international problem, so cooperation with other countries are to be expected," Senga added.

But he refused to specify what kind of assistance the Philippine government, particularly the military, would be seeking to address the Abu Sayyaf at this time.

"Those would be policy matters and we are not authorized to speak on such matters," Senga said.

Defense secretary Orlando Mercado could not be reached for comment.

No asylum
In a related development, press secretary Ricardo Puno belied earlier claims issued by foreign affairs secretary Domingo Siazon that the government is not discounting the possibility of granting the Abu Sayyaf leaders asylum in Libya, citing this as a last resort to secure the release of the remaining Western hostages.

Siazon reportedly hinted to media men that allowing Abu Sayyaf leaders to seek asylum in Libya is a possible last resort to secure the release of the remaining 12 Western hostages.

He was quoted as saying "If you're negotiating, everything is possible. So why would you close the door?"

Puno said he was also surprised upon learning that Siazon issued such a statement.

"I have not talked to the President yet (about the matter). I was even surprised because yesterday I was not aware that there was such a statement made," Puno said.

He, however, said he would have to determine first if Siazon was properly quoted by newspaper reports.

Toledo, for his part , said that Siazon's statement was "theoretical".

"In short it is theoretical, he did say that in the realm of negotiations especially in a hostage crisis situation, anything can be discussed," Toledo said but stressed that until now it is not being raised in negotiations.

Toledo stressed that if the Abu Sayyaf raises the political asylum issue at the negotiating table, then the government would have to seriously study it due to its legal implications.

But Puno maintained that there is no chance the government would allow the Abu Sayyaf leaders to seek asylum in Libya.

"I think it is very clear. Even the United States had already aired its opposition against it (the granting of political asylum to Abu Sayyaf leaders). They said that it is not right and that they are opposed to it," Puno said.

Puno said Malacañang would wait first for Siazon to explain his side on the issue.

Back to Sipadan Hostages News

Back to This Week's Borneo News