In June 2008, an ABS-CBN news team had just arrived in the quiet town of Maimbung, Sulu, determined to land an exclusive story from the leaders of the infamous Abu Sayyaf Group.

At the time, Abu Sayyaf was one of the most feared armed groups in the Philippines—known for kidnappings, bombings, and ties to terrorism. Getting a sit-down with its leaders would have been a huge scoop, offering rare insight into their motives and operations.

At the center of it all was Cecilia Victoria “Ces” Oreña-Drilon, a seasoned broadcast journalist admired for her bravery and instinct for powerful stories. 

On June 8, 2008, Ces, her crew, and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo entered the tense and unpredictable terrain of Jolo—unaware that they were about to be part of one of the most terrifying moments in Philippine media history.

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