PHILIPPINES: DIPLOMAT FAILS TO GAIN RELEASE OF WESTERN HOSTAGES HELD BY MOSLEM REBELS.

Record ID: 695353

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: DIPLOMAT FAILS TO GAIN RELEASE OF WESTERN HOSTAGES HELD BY MOSLEM REBELS.
  • Date: 29th January 1985
  • Summary: JOLO, PHILIPPINES GV Pakistani ambassador Ayub Khan arriving at MNLF camp. 0.13 GV Ambassador and news team riding through jungle in open jeep. 0.24 GV PAN Rebel community with wives and children. 0.31 TRACKING SHOT Armed rebels lining route. 0.40 GV Rebels gathered in jungle. 0.43 SV Ambassador being led down jungle path by rebels. 1.09 SV PAN Rebels, wives and children. 1.18 SV Pakistani ambassador shaking hands with John Ravinow (New York) and Helmut Herbst (Munich). 1.26 SV MNLF leader Basir Hadji Susuban speaking. (English SOT) "Our objective in holding two foreigners is ah, we only, we will not release with the representative of (indistinct) because our purpose is not for that ransom but for a world wide issue regarding the MNLF is existing in Jolo."
  • Embargoed: 13th February 1985 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines, Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6IYV3DDOFJGI1MN0FDULPNE0J
  • Story Text: JOLO, PHILIPPINES

    A Visnews camera team penetrated deep into rebel territory on the Philippine island of Jolo, to bring back exclusive film of two hostages held at a Moslem rebel camp. John Ravinow from New York, and Helmut Herbst from Munich were abducted by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels last November while riding on a bus on Jolo Island. They were originally linked with a Protestant missionary society, but officials later said they were writers or journalists. The rebels made a ransom demand of 25,000 dollars shortly after the abduction. The camera team accompanied the Pakistani ambassador Ayub, Khan, along with a Moslem guide and mediator, was trying to negotiate the release of the two men. But an MNLF leader, Basir Hadji Susuban, refused to release the men because the Pakistani ambassador had not been accredited by the Islamic Conference. He said he wasn't holding the men for money, but to let the world know that the MNLF rebel group was very much alive.

    <strong>Source: REUTERS - MANUEL SILVA</strong>
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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