RP says hostages safe, hopeful of breakthrough

RP says hostages safe, hopeful of breakthrough

JOLO, Philippines (AFP): All 37 hostages held by Moro extremists in this southern Philippines island are safe with a breakthrough expected soon in the 10-week long crisis, President Joseph Estrada's government said on Friday.

But it cautioned that quarrels among the kidnap leaders over potential ransom money could delay the resolution of the crisis.

Local officials said the gunmen are also on a massive recruitment drive and could be bracing themselves for a possible rescue attempt.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Puno said: "There are a lot of discussions about possible releases" and that "there has been some indications that there will probably be some results." But he declined to be more specific.

Puno rejected suggestions by mayors on Jolo island that the military should move in to rescue the hostages. "I think the government is firm that despite the fact that it is taking a bit of time, it is still the safety of the hostages that is the primary concern," he said.

He expressed optimism that the ordeal of the hostages -- from Finland, France, Germany, Lebanon, Malaysia and South Africa as well as the Philippines -- would end before Estrada made a 10-day trip to the United States on July 24.

"We are still hopeful that will be the case. There is some optimism that this could be resolved, hopefully," he told a press briefing in Manila.

Government emissaries said the first breakthrough could be the release of German journalist Andreas Lorenz. The kidnappers have pledged to provincial governor Abdusakur Tan to release Lorenz this week and that he could even walk free on Friday.

The Der Spiegel magazine reporter was abducted on Sunday as he covered the crisis, which started in the Malaysian resort of Sipadan on Easter Sunday, April 23.

Lorenz's editor Olaf Claus Brinkmoeir arrived here on Friday and met behind closed doors with Tan.

The governor later told reporters that Brinkmoeir asked "about the journalist Lorenz and the other German captives."

The Abu Sayyaf, which styles itself as a separatist guerrilla group, is holding the 20 mostly foreign hostages, a group of 13 Christian preachers who went to the guerilla hideout last weekend, and three Filipinos seized from nearby Basilan island in March.

The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of US$1 million each for the hostages taken from the Malaysian resort, as well as various political demands. Manila says it is paying no ransom.

Influential Libyan mediator Rajab Azzarouq was due here on Friday to deliver an ultimatum to the kidnappers, governor Tan said.

Puno said information received by the government indicated the hostages "are relatively safe" and that "there is no immediate threat to any one of them."

"Even the German journalist is apparently basically healthy and in good condition," he said, dismissing reports that one of 13 Christian preachers may have been beheaded. "Based on our information, which is reliable, there was no such event that took place."

Puno said that in the Lorenz case, the Abu Sayyaf faction holding him was "undecided whether they should declare him a hostage or set him free."

He said that perception among Abu Sayyaf factions about money being given in exchange for the hostages and division of the expected booty had led to friction among them, which could delay the resolution to the crisis.

Reports this week said that one faction of the Abu Sayyaf wanted to kill the 13 Christian preachers after an argument on the fate of the hostages which led to a near shootout among the guerrillas.

"Apparently the reason for the arguments has to do with money ... who should hold certain hostages ... (and) equitable distribution of proceeds," he said.