I saw on the news today that ABS-CBN cameraman Angelo Valderama was released around 7:30 p.m. to Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula, said Undersecretary Amilasan Amilbajar of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao. It has been said that a P2-million "board and lodging fee" was paid in exchange for his freedom. Now isn't that rather silly? Calling a 2 Million peso figure "board and lodging fee?" That's the biggest joke of all time. I think if we'd like to be truthful - that is part of the ransom. And since they've given that amount for a measly cameraman, imagine what the amount would be for the release of Ces Drilon!
But prominent anchorwoman Ces Drilon and cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion were still in captivity, along with a Mindanao State University professor who had acted as their local guide. That would be quite natural. I bet Ces Drilon would be the last one to be release as she is of course the "ace" in this kidnapping. This wouldn't even make this big of a fuss if not for her big name on prime time television.
The kidnappers, described as members of the Abu Sayyaf group that has been blamed for the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines, were understood to have demanded up to P20 million ($454,000) in ransom.
via Inquirer.net
