Hopes rise for release of RP hostages

Hopes rise for release of RP hostages

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Agencies): Negotiators have settled arrangements to release some foreign hostages held for months by Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines, but had no firm word on Friday on when they would taste freedom.

Presidential assistant secretary Farouk Hussain said some of the dozen foreign captives, probably the four women, could be released on Saturday. But chief negotiator Robert Aventajado later told Reuters no developments were likely before Sunday.

"I don't want to cause another disappointment but I am very hopeful," said Hussain, who is on the negotiating panel and held talks with the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in their stronghold on the island of Jolo earlier this week.

Asked if some of the captives could be freed on Saturday, he told Reuters: "Why not?"

Aventajado said: "Basically, I have sewn up a deal with (Abu Sayyaf Commander) Robot and the other players. We are just putting some finishing touches." However, hostages were unlikely to walk free before Sunday at the earliest, he said.

Negotiators have been hesitant to commit to a firm date for any release following a botched deal last Saturday, when the rebels reneged at the last minute.

Meanwhile, Philippine intelligence operatives have intercepted a cache of ammunition bound for the southern island of Jolo, where Muslim gunmen are still holding 12 foreign hostages, a military report said on Friday.

Police said the seized ammunition was for M-16 and M-14 automatic rifles, and was found on Wednesday hidden in the baggage section of MV Kristel Jane ferry in Zamboanga which was bound for Jolo.

No one had been arrested but radio and television reports, quoting police, said the ammunition was intended for Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels, who are holding the 12 foreigners and more than a dozen Filipinos at a jungle hide-out in Jolo.

The fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 21 people from the Malaysian diving resort of Sipadan on April 23 and whisked them away to Jolo, 960 km south of Manila. Nine Malaysians, a Filipina and a German woman have been freed.

The rebels still hold a Filipino resort worker and nine tourists -- three French nationals, two Germans, two Finns and two South Africans -- along with three French television journalists kidnapped on Jolo last month.

Libya has played a key role in trying to free the hostages, in what diplomats see as a bid to improve its international image after years of isolation following the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

But its efforts have triggered reports that it is paying ransom and sources close to the negotiations have said success will boil down to money.

Aventajado and Hussain said the arrest on Thursday of two men in Zamboanga, 150 km northeast of Jolo, while attempting to change some US$240,000 in suspected ransom to local currency would not affect arrangements for any possible release.

Police in Zamboanga, the nearest big city to Jolo, said the two appeared to be relatives of top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer said a senior government official had called the Zamboanga police and pleaded for the release of the men, but to no avail. The report could not be immediately confirmed.

"As far as I am concerned, if Robot does not bring it up, it does not exist," Aventajado said. "I talked to him today and he did not mention it."

The Philippine military has said the rebels have received some $5.5 million for hostages already released. Sources close to the negotiations have said they are demanding $1 million for each of the 12 foreigners still in their custody.

The Philippines government and Libya denied any money has been paid. But police intelligence sources have said the Abu Sayyaf is handing out money and newly acquired assault rifles to its cadres, and has bought a speed boat and 10 motorcycles.