Jolo - Muslim extremists holding 20 hostages in the southern Philippines said on Friday they were cutting medical supplies to the 10 western tourists among the captives whose health appears to be worsening.
"We are banning the entry of medicines to pressure the government," Abu Sayyaf leader, Mr Galib Andang, said in a taped message sent by emissaries to journalists. The rebels' political demands include the setting up of an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines, and a ransom of $1 million per hostage.
