DATE=4/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES - HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)CQ
NUMBER=2-261758
BYLINE=RON CORBEN
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The negotiator seeking release of 21 hostages
seized in Malaysia and taken to the Philippines, is
ruling out ransom demands. Ron Corben reports from
VOA's Southeast Asia Bureau in Bangkok, the
kidnappers, members of an extremist Muslim rebel
group, are reported to be demanding two-point-four
million dollars.
TEXT: As preparations are being made for talks for the
release of the 21 hostages, the chief negotiator has
ruled out paying ransom to the kidnappers.
Former Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari said before
departing Manila for the southern Philippine island of
Jolo, he would not -- in his words -- entertain
monetary considerations.
Mr. Misuari, is now governor of a Muslim autonomous
region in the Southern Philippines, and was appointed
by President Joseph Estrada, to carry out the
negotiations.
Mr. Misuari left the Philippine capital Thursday
morning for the 960 kilometer flight to the Mindinao
region and the Sulu archipelago,
where the kidnappers, members of the Abu Sayyaf
extremist Muslim group, are holding the hostages.
Mr. Misuari is leader of the Moro National Liberation
Front - or MNLF - once the country's largest Muslim
rebel group, which signed a peace treaty with the
government in 1996.
The hostages were kidnapped Sunday from Malaysia's
Sipadan Island, off the east coast of
Borneo. They were taken in boats to Jolo Island in
the Sulu archipelago, the southern-most island group
of the Philippines.
Reports say the group has been split up. Ten foreign
tourists, including German, French, South African,
Finnish and Lebanese nationals, are being held along
with nine Malaysians and two Filipinos.
Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado says the
hostages were divided into several groups and moved
around the town of Talipao, a mountainous area about
20 kilometers from Jolo, Sulu's capital.
This is the second hostage drama now being played out
with the Abu Sayyaf rebels at the center. An Abu
Sayyaf group has been under attack by Philippine
troops in Basilan province, where the rebels have been
holding 27 other hostages, mostly women and children.
Following weeks of fruitless talks, the Philippine
military launched attacks on the camp last weekend,
but has been held back in recent
days due to bad weather, jungle terrain and the threat
of landmines. (Signed)
NEB/RC/FC/PLM
27-Apr-2000 04:25 AM EDT (27-Apr-2000 0825 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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