BALANGA CITY- Independent Senator Richard Gordon on Monday urged government to talk with the Abu Sayyaf still holding two volunteers of the International Committee of the Red Cross hostage.
“Hindi dapat deadmahin sapagka’t ang bantang pupugutan ang bihag ay hindi pa naman inaalis at paanong malalaman ang gusto ng mga ito kung hindi kakausapin,” the senator said.
He said that the Abus are demanding government troops to leave three barangays and one town that involves about 80 soldiers. “Hindi ko naman gustong umalis lahat ang sundalo sa buong Sulu pero kahit alising lahat halimbawa pareho rin naman ang kalagayan ng Sulu sa loob ng nakaraang 60 taon,” Gordon said.
“Hindi matitigil ang kidnapping sa Sulu habang walang ginagawa ang gobyerno na magulo at naglalaban-laban,” he said, adding “kaunti na lamang naman ang ipinapakiusap ng Abu Sayyaf.”
Gordon claimed he has good rapport with the Abu Sayyaf who he said are the ones contacting him. “Kailan lamang ay tumawag sa akin at nag-aalaala ako sa binitawang salita na binigyan na umano nila ako ng isa sa mga bihag, eh ano naman daw ba kapalit dahil hindi ko makumbinsi ang mga kasama ko,” he said.
The Philippine National Red Cross chairman said he answered the Abus that he was not in control of government but that he would do his best. Gordon said another thing that worries him is that the elder of the two foreigners being held is reportedly in bad condition.
“Sinasabi ng Abu Sayyaf na masama ang kondisyon ng isa sa dalawang bihag, iyong matanda at hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin niyon,” the senator said. Gordon reasoned out that he has to act because of the threat that one of the hostages would be beheaded. “Masama ba ang magpursige dahil tatlong buwan na ang mga bihag, eh kung pugutan nga,” he said.
On being charged as if he is acting as spokesperson of the Abu Sayyaf, the former Olongapo City mayor said “napikon marahil si Secretary Teodoro dahil akala tinitira ko si Presidente pero ang totoo wala akong tangkang tuligsain ang Pangulo na ang problema nga lamang, hindi ko maabot kahit na senador ako.”
He surmised that maybe some persons would like to get the credit on the release of the hostages to please the President. “Dapat ambisyunin na mapalaya ang mga bihag at hindi ang papuri ng Pangulo,” the senator said. “Kung mapapalaya ang dalawang bihag ng kung sino man, luluhod ako sa kanila,” the former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said.
Gordon was speaker during the conclusion of the Bataan Day celebration in commemoration of the 67th Araw ng Kagitingan. A civic-military parade was held after which different floats and dramatization depicting important scenes during World War II were presented.
Surviving WW II veterans and their spouses were present in the program and clapped heavily on each presentation.
Gov. Enrique Garcia and son Second District Rep. Albert Garcia and some mayors welcomed Gordon in his Bataan visit on the eve of the celebration atop Mt. Samat where Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is guest of honor and speaker.
“Hindi dapat deadmahin sapagka’t ang bantang pupugutan ang bihag ay hindi pa naman inaalis at paanong malalaman ang gusto ng mga ito kung hindi kakausapin,” the senator said.
He said that the Abus are demanding government troops to leave three barangays and one town that involves about 80 soldiers. “Hindi ko naman gustong umalis lahat ang sundalo sa buong Sulu pero kahit alising lahat halimbawa pareho rin naman ang kalagayan ng Sulu sa loob ng nakaraang 60 taon,” Gordon said.
“Hindi matitigil ang kidnapping sa Sulu habang walang ginagawa ang gobyerno na magulo at naglalaban-laban,” he said, adding “kaunti na lamang naman ang ipinapakiusap ng Abu Sayyaf.”
Gordon claimed he has good rapport with the Abu Sayyaf who he said are the ones contacting him. “Kailan lamang ay tumawag sa akin at nag-aalaala ako sa binitawang salita na binigyan na umano nila ako ng isa sa mga bihag, eh ano naman daw ba kapalit dahil hindi ko makumbinsi ang mga kasama ko,” he said.
The Philippine National Red Cross chairman said he answered the Abus that he was not in control of government but that he would do his best. Gordon said another thing that worries him is that the elder of the two foreigners being held is reportedly in bad condition.
“Sinasabi ng Abu Sayyaf na masama ang kondisyon ng isa sa dalawang bihag, iyong matanda at hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin niyon,” the senator said. Gordon reasoned out that he has to act because of the threat that one of the hostages would be beheaded. “Masama ba ang magpursige dahil tatlong buwan na ang mga bihag, eh kung pugutan nga,” he said.
On being charged as if he is acting as spokesperson of the Abu Sayyaf, the former Olongapo City mayor said “napikon marahil si Secretary Teodoro dahil akala tinitira ko si Presidente pero ang totoo wala akong tangkang tuligsain ang Pangulo na ang problema nga lamang, hindi ko maabot kahit na senador ako.”
He surmised that maybe some persons would like to get the credit on the release of the hostages to please the President. “Dapat ambisyunin na mapalaya ang mga bihag at hindi ang papuri ng Pangulo,” the senator said. “Kung mapapalaya ang dalawang bihag ng kung sino man, luluhod ako sa kanila,” the former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said.
Gordon was speaker during the conclusion of the Bataan Day celebration in commemoration of the 67th Araw ng Kagitingan. A civic-military parade was held after which different floats and dramatization depicting important scenes during World War II were presented.
Surviving WW II veterans and their spouses were present in the program and clapped heavily on each presentation.
Gov. Enrique Garcia and son Second District Rep. Albert Garcia and some mayors welcomed Gordon in his Bataan visit on the eve of the celebration atop Mt. Samat where Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is guest of honor and speaker.
