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.