Jolo - Muslim rebels holding 21 hostages on the southern Philippine island of Jolo have demanded $1 million in ransom for each captive, a government emissary said yesterday. He is among several people who have acted as intermediaries between government negotiators and leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group since the abduction of the hostages from a Malaysian island resort on April 23rd.
The chief government negotiator, Mr Roberto Aventajado, refused to confirm the report. He said the rebel leaders had made three political demands, including the creation of an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines. Some of the 21 mostly foreign hostages wept and spoke of suicide as builders put up a new hut in a sign their ordeal will drag on.
Philippine military officials claimed to have killed at least 32 rebels as the government moved to capture territory controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
