Abu Sayyaf Sets 3 Political Demands for Hostages Release

Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has issued three political demands for Hostages Release.

In a letter carried and read by the newly freed hostage Luis Bautista at Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) on Tuesday, the group spelled out its demands, which firstly required the withdrawal of U.S. and European troops and their business interests from the Middle East, saying those are desecration to the holy land of Islam.

The group secondly demanded the withdrawal of support of the " illegitimate Zionist regime who continue to occupy the sacred land of Jerusalem".

Thirdly, the group required the withdrawal of support to the Philippine occupation of Muslim land.

The letter also said the Abu Sayyaf had "released unconditionally" Bautista and another hostage, Lalaine Chua.

Government troops found the two in Basilan, the southern Philippines, early Tuesday morning.

At last 22 other hostages, including up to three Americans, remain in the custody of the bandits.

Bautista said in an interview of the RMN that he has not seen American hostage Guillermo Sobero, who the Abu Sayyaf said had been beheaded. But Sobero's body had not been found yet.

The Presidential Palace was pleased over news that Bautista and Chua were released and expressed optimism that the crisis is nearing its end.

Presidential spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao said in a press briefing at the Palace that whatever the reasons are behind the release of the two hostages, the government "sees the Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis as winding down."

Chua and Bautista were said to have been freed after secret negotiations between their families and the bandit group's intermediaries.

The two were among 20 the Abu Sayyaf bandits snatched from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan, western Philippines, on May 27.

Thirteen of the 20 have been freed in the past two months, including the latest two, and another two of them were beheaded.

The bandits kidnapped another 19 in Basilan when fleeing the government troop's pursuit.






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