TALIPAO, Philippines (18 May 2000) -- Two Philippine rebel leaders met with Muslim provincial governor Abdusakur Tan in Patikul town hall. The first meeting since the Abu Sayyaf rebels abducted 21 hostages from Sipadan Island one month ago lasted slightly more than an hour. Tan said the rebels reiterated their demands for an independent Muslim state and a commission to investigate allegations of abuse of Filipino Muslim immigrants in Sabah Malaysia. The rebel leaders, Mujid Susukan and Galib Andang (aka Commander Robot) stated that the hostages would be released but did not say when. | | Abu Sayyaf rebels Tan said formal talks between all five guerrilla leaders and government negotiators could begin as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
