RP rebels say U.S. hostage alive

RP rebels say U.S. hostage alive

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP): American hostage Jeffrey
Schilling is still alive nearly a month after the Philippine
military launched a massive operation to rescue him and four
other hostages from a group of Muslim rebels, a guerrilla
spokesman said Friday.

However, Abu Sabaya, spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf rebels,
refused to allow Schilling to be interviewed by Radio Mindanao
Network, which he called to deny rumors the American had been
killed.

It was the first time the rebels have made a public statement
in nearly three weeks.

In previous interviews with the same radio station, Sabaya
allowed Schilling to speak, and the American appealed to the
government to negotiate with the rebels instead of pressing ahead
with the military operation. The rebels are also holding three
Malaysians and one Filipino.