(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 6 July 2000 letter to the president of the Philippines, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, CPJ expressed its deep concern about the safety of German journalist Andreas Lorenz, apparently kidnapped on 2 July on the southern island of Jolo. CPJ is calling on President Estrada’s government to ensure he remains unharmed and to […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 6 July 2000 letter to the president of the Philippines, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, CPJ expressed its deep concern about the safety of German journalist Andreas Lorenz, apparently kidnapped on 2 July on the southern island of Jolo. CPJ is calling on President Estrada’s government to ensure he remains unharmed and to secure his immediate release.
Lorenz, a Beijing-based reporter for the German news magazine “Der Spiegel”, went to Jolo to cover the hostage crisis which began on 23 April when the Islamic rebel group Abu Sayyaf abducted twenty people, including three German nationals, from a Malaysian resort. Police identified the Abu Sayyaf as Lorenz’s captors. A spokesman for the rebel group denied the charge.
According to reports by local and international media, on 2 July, at around 4 p.m. (local time), Lorenz was seen leaving the Cooperative Inn in Jolo town with four men. Lorenz’s driver, Yakub Paradji, told police that he drove the group about a mile to Kasalamatan village near Patikul town, where Lorenz was forced to leave with the gunmen. Paradji reportedly was ordered to return to Jolo town. A Reuters report quoted an eyewitness who saw Lorenz being kicked and hit with a gun when he attempted to resist his captors.
Lorenz is one of ten foreign journalists who were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in early June. Together they paid a ransom of $25,000 for their release, according to press reports. “Der Spiegel” editors told CPJ that the paper has not received demands for ransom in this current incident.
Police intelligence officers report seeing Lorenz on 3 July at a camp run by Radulan Sajiron, one of five known leaders of the Abu Sayyaf. The police have said they did not take action for fear of endangering Lorenz’s life.
Editors at “Der Spiegel” told CPJ that they do not believe Lorenz intended to visit the rebel camp, and that he had been taken there against his will. He had planned, they said, to meet in Jolo town with a source who would provide documents and videotapes. The fact that the reporter left his satellite phone and laptop computer behind in his hotel room suggests, the editors said, that Lorenz had not planned an extended trip outside the city for journalistic purposes.
CPJ is applauding the efforts of local police and intelligence officers in trying to locate and rescue Lorenz. The organisation is urging them to make his safety their primary concern. CPJ does, however, object to statements by Philippine officials, reported in
the press, which imply that Lorenz is at fault for the current events. The “Philippine Daily Inquirer” quotes Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, saying he would not urge the Republic of the Philippines to take responsibility for Lorenz’s safety as Lorenz was aware of the dangers in the area. Statements such as this give mixed signals both to those involved in the search as well as to the captors.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– applauding the efforts of local police and intelligence officers in trying to locate and rescue Lorenz, and urging them to make his safety their primary concern
– objecting to statements by Philippine officials, reported in the press, which imply that Lorenz is at fault for the current events
– asking His Excellency to ensure that members of his administration put their full weight behind efforts to free Lorenz
– recalling that the foreign editor of “Der Spiegel”, Olaf Ihlau, was due in Manila on 6 July, and urging the president to offer representatives of “Der Spiegel” and of the German government the greatest support and to keep them well-informed of the status of his government’s efforts to secure Lorenz’s freedom
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:His Excellency Joseph Ejercito Estrada
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace
Manila, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 735 6152Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
