Well-known television reporter Ces Drilon and two of her crew have been abducted while pursuing a story in the southernmost province Sulu by armed men believed to members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group, police officials said.
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. said in a statement that Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama were “missing in Sulu” and that “all efforts are underway to find them and bring them home.”
Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Drilon and the two crew members were intercepted Sunday in Maimbung, a township in the Sulu capital Jolo, by armed men under Albader Parad, an Abu Sayyaf leader in the area.
Goltiao said the TV news team flew to Mindanao on Saturday on the invitation of Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampo “to cover a special event.”
Drilon was to interview the Abu Sayyaf, Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon told INQUIRER.net.
Official Statement of ABS CBN as of June 10th, 2008.
ABS-CBN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON CES DRILON:
Three ABS-CBN journalists Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama are missing in Sulu.
All efforts are underway to find them and bring them home.
Until we learn more details, ABS-CBN News requests other media to report on this matter with utmost consideration for the safety of our news team.
ABS-CBN News is in touch with the families and asks that their privacy be respected.
01:06
Oh my gosh. I hope they don't hurt her...I will pray for her safe return.
Sometimes I don't understand why these abu sayyaf to these to fellow men. Why don't they just live and let live.
Anyway, I already did the tag - juicy stuff about me. had fun doing it. Thanks!