Movie actor may head hostage talks

Movie actor may head hostage talks

MANILA (DPA): A Philippine movie action star may be allowed to head negotiations for the release of 33 people being held captive by extremist rebels in the southern region of Mindanao, an official said on Wednesday.

National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said a local crisis management committee was already considering the Abu Sayyaf group's demand to designate actor Robin Padilla as chief government negotiator.

Abu Asmad Salayuddin, an Abu Sayyaf spokesman, warned the government would face a "big problem" if Padilla, an ex-convict who converted to Islam while in jail, was not immediately sent to restart the negotiations.

The talks were halted on Monday after a congressman, who secured the release of 18 hostages last week, quit as chief negotiator because of a political squabble with other officials in Basilan province, 915 kilometers south of Manila.