| One Malaysian is freed MANILA: Filipino Muslim
extremists on Saturday released a Malaysian from among 21 mostly foreign hostages they
have been holding for two months, the government's top negotiator told a local television
network.
Roberto Aventajado said the
release of forest ranger Zulkarnain bin Hashim, 29, one of nine Malaysians in the group of
hostages held in the southern island of Jolo was a "goodwill gesture" on the
part of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, ABS-CBN television reported.
He said authorities were
working on getting the other hostages released.
Apart from the Malaysians,
the captives are three Germans, two French, two Finns, two South Africans, two Filipinos
and a Lebanese national.
They were abducted from a
Malaysian resort, Sipadan, off Borneo island on April 23 and brought by speedboat to Jolo.
Aventajado said Zulkarnain,
who was reportedly bitten by a scorpion recently at the Abu Sayyaf's jungle camp, was now
his custody.
He said no ransom was paid
and no promise-political or otherwise-were made to the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for his
release.
Zulkarnain's release caught
many by surprise, including Aventajado's fellow negotiators.
Rumors had been circulating
late Saturday about the Malaysian's release, bu no officials could confirm it until
Aventajado made the announcement over local television.
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