DATE=5/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262059
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The top negotiator for the release of 21
hostages seized by Islamic rebels from the Philippines
says the guerrilla group has so far failed to provide
a new list of demands for the hostage's release.
Meanwhile, as Patricia Nunan reports from the city of
Zamboangua in the southern Philippines, a mass was
held for a priest killed by the rebel group in a
separate abduction.
TEXT:
/// SOUND OF FUNERAL SINGING ///
About 400 parishoners packed a church in the city of
Zamboanga to pay their last respects to Father Ruel
Gallardo. The Roman Catholic priest was among four
people tortured and killed by rebels from the Abu
Sayyaf Guerrilla group after the Philippine's armed
forces launched an offensive earlier this week to
rescue a group of hostages.
In late March, the Abu Sayyaf seized some 50 hostages
from two schools on the island of the Basilan - some
900 kilometers south of the Philippines capital,
Manila.
After the release of some of the hostages, at least 27
remained, including 22 children. Nine of the children
and six teachers were then rescued in the offensive by
the Philippine forces. Father Gallardo and three
teachers were killed. A priest who saw the bodies
said they were shot in the head at close range. At
least eight other people remain missing.
In a second incident, rebels from Abu Sayyaf, which
means bearer of the sword, abducted 21 people from the
dive resort on the Malaysian island of Sipadan on
Easter Sunday. The group was brought by boat to Jolo
Island in the Philippines. The group was made up of
nine Malaysians, three Germans, 2 French Nationals, 2
Finns, 2 South Africans, 2 Filipinos and a Lebanese.
The Philippines government top hostage negotiator, Nur
Misuari, said Saturday that he was expecting to
receive a list of new demands from the rebels. So far
they've failed to provide one. But any demands, Mr.
Misuari says, will have to be carefully considered.
///Begin Misuari act ///
I said to them, I said we must have patience. But in
my case I was very patient until now. But I reserve
the right to consider their demands if their demands
are doable and realistic. But if not, then I don't
think there is any sense in negotiating with them.
/// end Misuari act ///
The Abu Sayyaf rebels were reported earlier to have
demanded two point four million dollars for the
release of the hostages - a proposal rejected by the
Philippines government. Other reports said the rebels
demanded an end to commercial fishing off the southern
Philippines and the re-introduction of barter into the
local economy.
There were also mixed signals about whether the group
wanted independence for 13 predominately Muslim
provinces. The Philippines is a nation which is more
than 85 percent Roman Catholic.
Mr. Misuari also said that they have not yet confirmed
a location of the hostages and that the rebels said
they'd separated into smaller groups and moved to new
hideouts in the jungle. But government negotiators
say they have confirmed that all 21 hostages are
alive. (Signed)
NEB/PN/TVM-T/PLM
06-May-2000 08:06 AM EDT (06-May-2000 1206 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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