DATE=9/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINE HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266049
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Islamic rebels holding an American man hostage
in the Southern Philippines have reportedly demanded
10 million dollars for his release. As Grace Cutler
reports from our Asian News Center, the United States
has said it refuses to pay any ransom.
TEXT: Broadcast on Radio Mindanao Network, Abu Sayyaf
spokesman Abu Ahmad Sabaya said the 10 million dollar
demand was made through a government representative
close to the hostage negotiations.
Mr. Sabaya expressed concern for Jeffrey Schilling's
health -- the California resident the group says they
have been holding on the island of Jolo since Tuesday.
He asked that food and medicine be sent for Mr.
Schilling, who U-S officials say suffers from serious
health problems. It has been agreed that provisions
will be sent through the Red Cross.
Earlier in the week, the Abu Sayyaf threatened to
behead Mr. Schilling if the United States did not meet
their demands, which included the release of three
international terrorists jailed in the United States
for the bombing of the 1993 World Trade Center. The
rebel group also requested that Libya, Iraq, North
Korea and China be included in the negotiations for
Mr. Schilling's release.
The Philippine government has rejected international
assistance to help free Mr. Schilling. The U-S State
Department has said it will not make deals with the
rebels and has refused to pay any ransom.
The Abu Sayyaf, who are calling for an independent
Muslim state in the southern Philippines, say Mr.
Schilling is a C-I-A agent and tried to pass himself
off as an Islamic convert. The same group was
responsible for the kidnapping of about 50 school
children and teachers in March in the southern
Philippines. A different faction of the Abu Sayyaf
are still holding six foreign hostages and several
others on the island of Jolo. (signed)
NEB/HK/GC/PLM
01-Sep-2000 08:21 AM EDT (01-Sep-2000 1221 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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