New snags hit Philippine hostage release<\/p>\n
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP): Several new problems, including a
\nshortage of ransom money, may prevent the release Friday of all
\nsix Europeans still being held hostage by extremist rebels in the
\nsouthern Philippines, an official said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Abu Sayyaf rebels had pledged to release all six on
\nFriday. But Libyan officials who arrived this week brought only
\nenough money to pay for the release of four of the hostages, or
\nabout $4 million, an official close to the negotiating team said.<\/p>\n
Libya has played a prominent role in negotiations for a group
\nof 21 people kidnapped April 23 from Sipadan diving resort under
\ncontrol of Malaysia. Last week it paid $6 million for the release
\nof six other Westerners from the group, negotiators said. Libya
\ninsists the money will go for development projects, not directly
\nto the rebels.<\/p>\n
But it has resisted paying for two of the remaining hostages,
\nboth French television journalists seized while covering the
\nhostage crisis, saying their company should foot the bill.<\/p>\n
Other developments could also interfere with the planned
\nrelease, the official said.<\/p>\n
Rebel leader Ghalib \"Robot\" Andang had a severe quarrel with
\none of his four wives Thursday, and the brother of another rebel
\nleader, Mujib Susukan, was killed Wednesday in a motorcycle
\naccident, he said.<\/p>\n
The negotiators had expected a telephone call from Andang on
\nThursday confirming Friday's release, but as of early evening no
\ncall had come, he said.<\/p>\n
The rebels are still holding two Finns, a French and a German
\nfrom Sipadan and the two French journalists in a camp on Jolo
\nisland in the southern Philippines. A separate rebel faction is
\nholding an American man kidnapped early last week.<\/p>\n
The prolonged hostage crisis has focused international
\nattention on the Muslim separatist rebellion in the Philippines'
\nimpoverished southern region of Mindanao. It has also embarrassed
\nthe government and frightened tourists and investors away from
\nMindanao, which already faces a separatist insurrection waged by
\na larger Muslim group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.<\/p>\n
Negotiators said they would still travel Friday to Jolo in
\nhopes the European hostages would be released.<\/p>\n
Ambassadors from the hostages' countries were scheduled to fly
\nFriday morning to the southern port city of Zamboanga to receive
\nthe captives from Philippine and Libyan negotiators.<\/p>\n
Government efforts to free the European hostages resumed this
\nweek after the return Tuesday of Libyan envoy Rajab Azzarouq.<\/p>\n
Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado said government
\nemissaries also are working to win the release of 12 Filipino
\nChristian evangelists who were captured by the Abu Sayyaf in
\nearly July and a Filipino hostage from Sipadan who was separated
\nfrom the Europeans and taken to the camp of another rebel
\nfaction.<\/p>\n
The rebels have not announced their demands for Schilling's
\nrelease, although rebel spokesman Abu Sabaya has privately
\ndemanded $10 million, negotiators said.<\/p>\n
Schilling, 24, from Oakland, California, was seized Aug. 28
\nwhen he visited an Abu Sayyaf camp with his Filipino Muslim wife,
\nIvi Osani.<\/p>\n
News reports have said the rebels abducted Schilling, who
\nconverted to Islam in 1994, during an argument over religious and
\npolitical issues.<\/p>\n
A government emissary who visited the camp said Schilling has
\nended a hunger strike but is under heavy guard.
\n\"He's not undergoing rough treatment. He's OK,\" said presidential
\nPress Secretary Ricardo Puno.<\/p>\n
Sulu Vice Governor Munib Estino, appointed by the government
\nto negotiate for Schilling, expressed confidence he could free
\nhim in a few days and denied news reports that Schilling was
\nbeing held in a pig pen-like cage.<\/p>\n
Philippine officials have questioned whether the case is a
\nsimple kidnapping since Osani is Sabaya's second cousin and the
\nwidow of a rebel killed by government forces several years ago.<\/p>",
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