Philippine Rebel Talks Rescheduled

With negotiations for the release of 21 hostages in the Philippines set to go and then delayed again Friday, more information has emerged about what their Muslim captors might accept.

The Abu Sayyaf rebels moved the hostages--most of them foreigners seized April 23 from a Malaysian resort--into Talipao, the site of talks that had been planned for Friday, government negotiator Robert Aventajado said.

But the meeting was delayed after the Philippine guerrillas were startled by troop movements, officials said. The government team decided to open talks today.

At least one of the rebels’ formal demands--an independent Islamic state--has been ruled out. But negotiators said the rebels have expressed interest in development projects for their province.