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Philippine Muslim rebels free Malaysian hostage |
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July 15, 2000
JOLO, Philippines (AP) - Muslim rebels have released a Malaysian who has been held in a Philippine jungle camp since being kidnapped in April from a diving resort along with 20 other mostly foreign hostages, officials said Friday. The hostage was freed early Friday, officials said. He was identified as Abdul Jawar Salamat, a Malaysian police officer. "He is in my hands already," said businessman Wee Dee Ping, a former presidential adviser who is helping the government broker the release of the hostages. Abdusakur Tan, governor of Sulu province, where the hostages are being held, called the release "a very good sign that negotiations for the others will succeed." Abdul Jawar is the second Malaysian to be freed by the Abu Sayyaf rebels, following the release of a forest ranger last month. For several months there have been "backdoor" talks specifically for the release of the Malaysian hostages, and there are unconfirmed reports that a ransom was paid. After seizing several other groups of hostages, Muslim extremists are now holding a total of 39 people, including 21 foreigners, in the southern Philippines. Friday's release came as three European foreign ministers were in the Philippines to urge President Joseph Estrada's government not to use force in freeing the hostages. "It is of utmost importance that there be no use of force," German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters. Fischer said he was thankful for assurances from Estrada and other officials that "there will be a peaceful, sound, and we hope quick release of all hostages." "They know what we expect," added French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine. The hostages now consist of five French, four Germans, two Finns, two South Africans, a Lebanese, seven Malaysians and 18 Filipinos. All but a German journalist are believed to be held by the Abu Sayyaf, a band of Muslim extremists accused of a wide range of kidnappings and attacks on Christians in the past. Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja released a letter written by one of the hostages, Finn Risto Vahanen, appealing for their release. "Our mental condition is getting worse every day and it is not far from one of us committing suicide," Vahanen wrote. "Please do your utmost to get us out of these inhumane conditions without delay, peacefully without force." Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado said the foreign ministers appeared to be satisfied with the Philippines' explanation of its attempts to resolve the hostage crisis, although they expressed "a little bit of impatience." Aventajado suspended formal negotiations with Abu Sayyaf leaders more than one month ago after the rebels began escalating their demands. He said he was optimistic Friday after talking twice the previous day by telephone with Ghalib Andang, an Abu Sayyaf leader holding 36 of the hostages. Andang, also known as Commander Robot, proposed that all future contacts be handled by one go-between because of confusion created by a large number of unofficial emissaries who have been visiting the rebels, Aventajado said. |