RP rebels seize three new hostages

RP rebels seize three new hostages

JOLO, Philippines (AFP): Philippine kidnappers appear ready to
release some of their 17 hostages, even as they abducted three
more Filipinos they plan to use as human shields, sources close
to the negotiations said on Wednesday.

Police said members of the extremist group Abu Sayyaf snatched
at gunpoint Samuel Ranillano, 40, Renante dela Cruz, 20 and a man
identified only as Iking, 51, while the three were hauling sand
from the coastal village of Kaunayan in Patikul town on Tuesday.

The three, who are all Christians, are employed by a
construction supply shop in Jolo which has concessions to quarry
in Kaunayan, the same area where a splinter Abu Sayyaf group
earlier snatched two Filipino broadcast journalists.

Police said the gunmen who carried out the fresh abductions
are new recruits.

Shop supervisor Abubakar Mandangan said they received a letter
written by Ranillano saying they would have to pay an unspecified
amount or the three would be killed.

The Abu Sayyaf is also holding at gunpoint two Finns, five
French nationals, two Germans, three Malaysians, two Filipinos,
two South Africans and a Franco-Lebanese woman and have been
engaged in negotiations with the government for release of these
hostages.

The rebels had earlier freed six Malaysians, two Germans and
five Filipinos, including two Filipino broadcast journalists
freed on Saturday.

There had been widespread reports that ransom was paid for
these captives.

Sources involved in the negotiations said the new captives
could be used by the Abu Sayyaf as "human shields" for an
expected military assault once the 17 hostages are freed.

Security was tightened here amid intelligence reports that the
Abu Sayyaf were planning to kidnap more local traders and their
children.

"They are hoping that after the release of the foreign
hostages, they will still have some protection from military
operations," a source said.

The three remaining Malaysians are the next captives lined up
for freedom, sources said, adding that chief negotiator Roberto
Aventajado was expected to fly to the southern city of Zamboanga
soon to oversee their handover.

A chartered Malaysian plane was scheduled to arrive in
Zamboanga City, near Jolo, on Thursday and arrangements have been
made for it to fly any freed Malaysians direct to Sabah,
Malaysia, the sources said.

"None of the Caucasians are coming down, but the Malaysians
may walk free as early as tomorrow," said one source who is in
contact with the emissaries sent to the jungle hideout of Abu
Sayyaf gunmen on the southern island of Jolo.

The sources said Aventajado's emissary was in the gunmen's
camp on Wednesday, and that the only thing holding up the
Malaysians' release was Manila's insistence that two Filipinos in
the group be freed with them.

The five hostages were among the original 21 western tourists
and Asian resort workers seized by the rebels from a Malaysian
resort, and brought by boat to Jolo on April 23.

After the Malaysians are freed, the negotiators hope to obtain
the release of the remaining three foreign female hostages seized
from the Malaysian resort -- a Frenchwoman, a South African and a
Franco-Lebanese national, sources said.

Aventajado earlier said he was hopeful all 17 hostages are
freed in two weeks, with Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang
indicating he was ready to begin discussions on what will happen
after hostage drama.

The bulk of journalists covering the hostage crisis pulled out
of Jolo island during the weekend following intelligence reports
the Abu Sayyaf were planning to abduct other local media members.