5 Children Held by Muslim Rebels Freed in Philippine Hostage Swap

Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines released five Filipino children Saturday from a group of captives seized in March.

The children were among about 50 people seized from two schools by the Abu Sayyaf rebels on the island of Basilan. Most of the hostages were released earlier, and about 15 were rescued, but six allegedly were killed by the rebels.

The rebels swapped the five children for six relatives of Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani, including his mother, two sisters and a family helper, in the town of Patikul on Jolo island, an aide to chief negotiator Robert Aventajado said.

Janjalani’s relatives were abducted by vigilantes to force the rebels to release the Basilan hostages, including a Catholic priest who was later killed.

The children were handed over to an Aventajado aide and a local official and were taken by military helicopters to an air force base in Zamboanga.

Another group of Abu Sayyaf rebels is holding 21 Western and Asian hostages kidnapped from a Malaysian diving resort April 23.

The rebels said Saturday that they were willing to discuss the possible release of the hostages. The change of heart came after Aventajado said last week that Manila did not favor the use of force to rescue the hostages.