• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

DATE=8/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES - L
NUMBER=2-265936
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
CONTENT
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The hostage crisis in the Philippines, now 
entering its fifth month, remains difficult and tense. 
Just as six freed hostages arrive in Libya, it appears 
that Muslim rebels, still holding more than a dozen 
other captives, have abducted an American man. As V-O-
A's Amy Bickers
reports, foreign observers suggest that the latest 
alleged kidnapping is the result of the multi-million 
dollar ransoms the rebels are receiving.
TEXT:  Six Western hostages released earlier this week 
by the Abu Sayyaf rebel group in the Philippines 
arrived Tuesday in the Libyan capital Tripoli before 
returning to their homes. Libya, once an illicit 
supporter of the Muslim insurgency in the southern 
Philippines, has in recent years played a key role in 
helping the Manila negotiate with the rebels.
Since the latest hostage crisis began in April, 
Libya's envoy has joined Philippines officials in 
gaining the release of more than a dozen of the 
hostages being held on Jolo island. 
Key to the negotiations has been ransom money demanded 
by the Abu Sayyaf. Millions of dollars have reported 
been paid to the rebels for the hostages' freedom.  
But Libya denies it is ransom, saying it is giving 
development assistance to help the impoverished 
southern Philippines.
Abu Sayyaf - a factionalized grouping of Muslim rebels 
- has been releasing the hostages piecemeal, fearing 
retaliation by the Philippine military.  
The group still holds 18 hostages. And the chief 
government negotiator, Roberto Aventajado, says he has 
reached an agreement with the Abu Sayyaf on releasing 
the rest of the captives. 
But just as it looked like the crisis would be coming 
to an end, Abu Sayyaf announced Tuesday it had taken 
an American man hostage. Rebels say the man is a spy 
and are threatening to execute him if their as yet 
unspecified demands are not met
U-S diplomats in Manila say they are investigating the 
claim but can not confirm it at this time. 
Analysts say the alleged kidnapping could well be 
motivated by the desire for more ransom. A spokesman 
of the Abu Sayyaf said earlier that the American man 
could command the same ransom as up to ten Europeans. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/JO 
29-Aug-2000 08:28 AM EDT (29-Aug-2000 1228 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.