Rebels Due to Free 6 Hostages in Philippines
Negotiators flew to a remote Philippine island today where they hope Muslim rebels will release at least six of the 12 foreigners held hostage for months in jungle camps.
“The rebels are ready. They are waiting,” said a go-between who has helped with previous releases. The man, code-named “Dragon,” is the uncle of one of the Abu Sayyaf rebel commanders.
The Abu Sayyaf rebels agreed a day earlier to release six hostages, including four women.
They made the pledge after a Zamboanga court freed two guerrillas caught carrying cash believed to be part of an earlier ransom payment, officials said. Rebel commander Ghalib “Robot” Andang had demanded that the guerrillas be freed before he would release more captives, negotiators said.
When Andang called negotiator Robert Aventajado and learned that the two guerrillas were out on bail, he agreed to free four remaining female hostages--three from France and a South African--plus German Werner Wallert and a Finnish man.
Libya has agreed to pay $1 million for the release of each hostage, according to negotiators. The Libyan government has mounted a major initiative for the hostages’ freedom in a bid, diplomats say, to improve its international profile.
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