Philippine Government Casts Doubt on Hostage Escape
The Philippine government is refusing to confirm a local radio report that two of the 21 international hostages held by a Muslim rebel group on a southern island have escaped. Earlier, Manila also denied the report that two had been killed, insisting that all hostages were alive.
The local DZMM radio station reported Thursday that two white men had escaped from their captors, but the government would rather cast doubt on it. The 21 hostages were abducted 11 days ago from a Malaysian diving resort.
Meanwhile, a separate hostage standoff between the Philippine government and Abu Sayyaf is turning more violent. Official reports say the guerrillas fired at and killed four of the 27 local people they held hostage in Basilan for 45 days. 15 have been rescued.
Abu Sayyaf has been demanding the release of several Muslim extremists including one responsible for the New York World Trade Center bombing.
The Philippine government is refusing to confirm a local radio report that two of the 21 international hostages held by a Muslim rebel group on a southern island have escaped. Earlier, Manila also denied the report that two had been killed, insisting that all hostages were alive.
