PHILIPPINES: CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ROBERT AVENTAJADO ANNOUNCES NEW FORMULA TO PRESENT TO MOSLEMS REBELS HOLDING 12 FOREIGNERS HOSTAGE ON JOLO ISLAND

Record ID: 494539

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ROBERT AVENTAJADO ANNOUNCES NEW FORMULA TO PRESENT TO MOSLEMS REBELS HOLDING 12 FOREIGNERS HOSTAGE ON JOLO ISLAND
  • Date: 21st August 2000
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AUGUST 21, 2000) 1. ZOOM IN: CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ROBERT AVENTAJADO WALKING TO PRESS CONFERENCE 0.10 2. WS: CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ROBERT AVENTAJADO'S PRESS BRIEFING 0.14 3. SV: SOUNDBITE (English) ROBERT AVENTAJADO SAYING: "I had a meeting with Ambassador Azzarouq this morning here, and I suggested to him a formula as to how to
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA9QVOR4R8611ZIVQY70LR54L5I
  • Story Text: The Philippines has come up with a new formula to
    present to Moslem rebels holding 12 foreigners hostage in the
    south and is waiting for Libyan mediators to give the green
    light to clinch the deal.



    Hostage chief negotiator Robert Aventajado told
    journalists on Monday (August 21) that another attempt to free
    the hostages would be made once the formula was accepted by
    Libyan envoy Rajab Azzarouq.

    Aventajado refused to give details and said he would not
    disclose any scheduled date which could be agreed on for a
    release.

    Aventajado said: "This time, unlike last week, we will try
    to work quietly assuming that Dr. Azzarouq accepts my
    formula."
    Earlier, sources close to the negotiators said Libya and
    the Philippines had set aside differences which erupted after
    the release attempt failed on Saturday.

    They said the only problem remaining was the logistics of
    getting the hostages out of the island of Jolo, where they
    have been held for four months.

    The rebels had said they feared a military attack once the
    hostages had been released and were not willing to let all of
    them leave in one go.

    But Aventajado said Philippine President Joseph Estrada
    maintains his stand and demanded the rebels to release all the
    hostages at the same time.

    Libya had blamed calls for an attack by Philippine
    legislators for the rebels' fears.

    The European and South African hostages were abducted by
    Moslem Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on Easter Sunday while they were
    on a holiday in the Sipadan island diving resort in Malaysia.

    Brought across the seas to the rugged island of Jolo, 960
    km (600 miles) south of Manila, they have since been held in
    rebel jungle hideouts for 120 days, with little to eat and
    only rain water to drink.

    Of the 21 people kidnapped on Sipadan, 12 have been
    released -- nine Malaysians, one German woman and one
    Filipina.

    Three of the Malaysians were released on Sunday (August 20).


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