WORLD : Filipino Guerrillas Vow to Free Hostages, Warn of Rescue Bid

Philippine communist guerrillas said today that they will release sometime this month a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and a Japanese aid worker they are holding, but warned that the two might be killed if soldiers try to rescue them.

The rebels, in an interview with Philippine reporters, said Timothy Swanson of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Fumio Mizuno were safe and were being held on Negros Island on suspicion of involvement in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

“We will turn them over within the month but an offensive by the enemy might endanger their lives,” a New People’s Army commander, who identified himself as Comrade Efren, said in the interview.

The commander warned soldiers not to attempt a rescue, saying: “We will engage them to protect our territory. The two foreigners may be hurt, or worse still, get killed.”

U.S. Embassy spokesman Stanley Schrager said U.S. officials were glad to hear the two aid workers were safe. “We are urging their safe return soon,” he said.