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.