December 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, ‘No more hostage talks with Sayyaf’ : Palace says former German captive has ‘selective amnesia’, b

December 19, 2000, The Philippine Star, ‘No more hostage talks with Sayyaf’ : Palace says former German captive has ‘selective amnesia’, by Paolo Romero and Marichu Villanueva,

There will be no more negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of American Jeffrey Craig Schilling and Filipino Roland Ullah, and military operations will continue until the extremist group is wiped out, Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado reiterated yesterday. 

"The only negotiation that is not being prejudiced is a negotiation for their surrender," Mercado said. 

"Even then, surrender will only be a mitigating circumstance. Abu Sayyaf members who survive the military operations, either through surrender or capture, will be charged in court with murder and kidnapping, among other crimes," he said. 

At Malacañang, meanwhile, Press Undersecretary Mike Toledo accused German teacher Werner Wallert of having "selective amnesia" for criticizing the Estrada government in a book (Horror in Tropical Paradise) about his experience in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. 

"He (Wallert) has forgotten that the men and women of the Armed Forces risked their lives to secure their early and safe release," Toledo said. 

The Abu Sayyaf snatched Wallert and 20 other mostly foreign vacationers from the Malaysian beach resort of Sipadan last April 23. Except for Ullah, all hostages were freed reportedly in exchange for huge ransoms. 

Toledo said President Estrada is still undecided on whether to sue for libel the German magazine Der Spiegel which, in an earlier article, accused Mr. Estrada and Presidential Flagship Projects Secretary Robert Aventajado of pocketing part of the ransoms paid for the release of the Sipadan hostages. 

Aventajado, for his part, has formally transmitted his letter of complaint dated Dec. 15 to Der Spiegel publisher Rudolf Augstein. 

Mercado reiterated the no-negotiation stance against the Abu Sayyaf following reports that the group’s overall chief, Khadafy Janjalani, is asking the government to rescue Schilling or negotiate his release. 

He said the bandits’ group is apparently "desperate for public attention" and is apprehensive over reports the government no longer considers Schilling and Ullah as persons being held against their will. 

Although the two are still considered hostages, Mercado said there are persistent reports that the two may be in conspiracy with the Abu Sayyaf. 

Ullah, an employee at the Sipadan resort, reportedly acted as the Abu Sayyaf’s contact, reports said. 

"(Schilling) allegedly offered to buy firearms for them. He sought out and deliberately went to the group. The government will continue to determine the circumstances behind Schilling’s entry into the Abu Sayyaf’s custody," Mercado said.