Muslim Rebels Won't Free Hostages
By JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press Writer
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) -
Muslim rebels backed out on a promise to free on Friday all six European hostages they
have held for months in the Philippine jungle, making a partial offer that forced the
government to cancel the entire release, an official said.
Abu Sayyaf rebel leader Ghalib
``Robot'' Andang informed a mediator that he would only free three of the Europeans,
negotiators said.
Chief government negotiator
Robert Aventajado then attempted to call Andang by satellite phone to push for the release
of all six, but was unable to reach him.
``The position we are taking is
that we will not agree for a release of less than six,'' Aventajado said. ``We believe
still that he knows how to keep his word. We are banking on that.''
Andang was attending the
funeral of another rebel leader's brother who died in a motorcycle accident, he said.
It was unclear how long a delay
would result from Friday's setback. Negotiators said they would attempt to restart talks
with the rebels on Saturday.
The Abu Sayyaf rebels are still
holding two Finns, a French and a German kidnapped April 23 from a Malaysian diving
resort. They are also holding two French television journalists and 12 Filipino Christian
evangelists who visited their camp in early July.
On southern Jolo island, where
the hostages are being held, a junior Abu Sayyaf officer said the real reason for the
failure of Friday's release was that Andang was not ready to let go of his foreign
hostages, apparently because of fears of a military attack once he does.
A shortage of ransom money may
also have contributed to the delay, an official close to the negotiations said.
A separate faction is holding
an American, Jeffrey Schilling, who was kidnapped early last week.
Schilling, 24, a Muslim convert
from Oakland, California, was seized Aug. 28 when he visited an Abu Sayyaf camp with his
Filipino Muslim wife, Ivi Osani. Osani, who is Sabaya's second cousin, was not abducted.
The rebels have not announced
their demands for Schilling's release, although Sabaya has privately demanded $10 million,
negotiators said.
The rebels say they believe
Schilling was spying on them.
``We don't believe this guy is
a Muslim because he does many things we can't accept as Muslims,'' Sabaya said in an
interview with the Radio Mindanao Network. ``For example, when he prays he does not wash
his hands.''
Sabaya reiterated the group's
threat to kill Schilling if the Philippine government does not respond favorably to its
demands.
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