The president took the hardline stance after a spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf admitted on Monday that the group had kidnapped the three Americans and 17 Filipinos from a resort off the western island of Palawan on Sunday. An Abu Sayyaf spokesman said in a radio interview that the group had taken the hostages to the southern islands of Basilan and Sulu. He said five million pesos would be given to anyone who provided information leading to the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders and one million pesos to anyone who helped nab lower-ranking members of the group. The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped dozens of foreigners and locals last year, holding them in the southern island of Jolo and releasing many of them only in exchange for millions of dollars in ransom. Other hostages were freed in a military assault, but one, a Filipino divemaster, is still being held.
Asthma medications face tests.
The film La Spagnola is going against the odds to succeed in the Australian film market. When Coles Myer and Daimaru this week announced plans to axe the jobs of 2,000 workers, they were consigning the unfortunates to the same ranks as the 10,000 plus who will have lost their jobs with Ansett even after its return to the skies. A royal row has broken out in Britain over a film crew which has been discovered stalking Prince William during his first week at university.