| ABUS ASK $15M
FOR HOSTAGES THE Jolo-based band of
Abu Sayyaf terrorists has reduced to $15 million its ransom demand for the release of all
the 21 mostly foreign hostages it kidnapped from a Malaysian dive resort more than a month
ago.
The bandits had earlier demanded $20 million or
almost $1 million for each of their captives—10 Caucasians and 11 Asians, including
two Filipinos.
It was also learned that Abu Sayyaf chieftain
Khadaffy Janjalani will henceforth join negotiations for the hostages’ release.
The group’s spokesman, Abu Sabaya, had earlier
confirmed the terrorists demanded $20 million for the hostages, in addition to their
political demands.
He later said that leaders of the band have agreed to
reduce the ransom to $15 million, plus some concessions.
The terrorists on Saturday split their captives into
two groups because of fears of a possible military rescue attempt, government negotiators
said.
They also announced they will no longer talk to the
chief government negotiator, Roberto Aventajado, after he suggested that the government
might consider a military rescue if negotiations over the release of the hostages break
down.
“We strongly condemn him for such irresponsible
statements,” the Abu Sayyaf leaders said in a statement.
The rebels moved 10 Caucasian hostages to a new,
unknown location, said Abdul Rajab Azzarouq, a Libyan envoy who is also a government
negotiator. The remaining Asian captives are still being held at a jungle camp where the
government recently built a wooden shed for the hostages’ protection, he said.
German Embassy officials called the situation bad and
said it could endanger the hostages’ security.
The Abu Sayyaf warned that the lives of the hostages
“will be exposed to extreme risks” if any rescue operation is launched.
Aventajado claimed his comment was taken out of
context.
“The government panel does not consider, much
less endorse, an armed response to the hostage crisis,” he said Saturday.
The Abu Sayyaf are holding three Germans, two French,
two Finns, two South Africans, a Lebanese,
nine Malaysians and two Filipinos.
The developments appeared to be a considerable
setback to hopes for the hostages’ release.
“We have to start again from the
beginning,” said Farouk Hussein, another government negotiator. “This is a very
sad development.”
Nevertheless, Hussein and Azzarouq headed back
Saturday to a village mosque guarded by hundreds of rebels for a second day of talks with
guerrilla leaders.
“The talks are going on, but it’s a tough
one,” Azzarouq said after their return. The negotiators later flew to nearby
Zamboanga to consult with Aventajado, who did not attend the two days of talks.
During the talks, the guerrillas refused to abandon
their demand for an independent Islamic nation, Azzarouq said.
The government has repeatedly ruled out any breakup
of the Philippines.
The hostages were seized April 23 from a Malaysian
diving resort and brought to Jolo, an island at the tip of the southern Philippines. -- AP
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