JOLO, Philippines (8 July 2000) -- According to the German foreign ministry, a gun battle broke out between rebel factions holding hostages in the southern Philippines. Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding 20 hostages abducted from a diving resort on Sipadan Island. Another faction of the same rebel group abducted German journalist, Andreas Lorenz last Sunday. Philippine government officials have denied the report but admitted that there have been clashes between different factions of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim terrorist group. The Muslim bandits have demanded $1m for the release of each hostage abducted from Sipadan. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
