Manila Rebels Threaten Not to Let Americans Go

Fighting by rebels intensified today in the embattled financial district where 2,000 foreigners are trapped, and a rebel officer said Americans stranded there may not be freed because of U.S. support for the Aquino government.

About 215 Americans are believed pinned down in hotels in the Makati district, said U.S. Embassy spokesman Jerry Huchel.

Safe passage for the trapped foreigners was delayed today, although hundreds of others living in the district were able to flee to safer areas.

Scores of Americans arrived today at the U.S. Seafront housing compound, where U.S. Marines were on guard. Others moved to hotels near Manila Bay, about five miles west of the fighting.

Vice President Salvador Laurel suggested that he, President Corazon Aquino and Congress resign as a means of ending the battle, and schedule new elections.

Rafael Alunan, undersecretary of tourism, negotiated for hours with the leader of the rebels in Makati about the foreigners trapped in three luxury hotels and condominiums.

Capt. Albert Yen, one of the insurgents, said “the intention is not to release Americans.”

“U.S. meddling has caused the failure of the first wave of our assault, so we hold them liable,” Yen said. “It is the responsibility of the U.S. government if we take their nationals hostage.”