Andang allowed the station to interview one of the hostages, Carel Strydom of South Africa. In comments dictated by an associate, Strydom asked the United Nations to tell the Philippine government to stop its military actions against the rebels. In a separate radio interview, Basilan spokesman Ahmad warned that the tourists held in Sulu would be beheaded if their ambassadors refuse to negotiate. Andang did not make a similar threat. Journalists Turned Back Journalists who tried to travel through Talipao today were forced to turn back by armed men, who surrounded their cars and fired in the air.
Police say the kidnappers promised locals a share of any ransom money if they act as lookouts.
Estrada has ruled out any ransom payment. In Malaysia, police rounded up 500 suspected illegal migrants today, most of them Filipino. Police did not elaborate, but officials on Friday detained seven people from Mabul for questioning in the kidnapping. The Associated Press. All rights reserved.