JOLO, Philippines (5 Sep 2000) -- Muslim rebels have refused to swap American hostage Jeffrey Schilling for a guerilla leader arrested last week on charges of kidnapping. Rebel spokesman, Abu Sabaya, identified the man as his 73-year-old grandfather but said Abu Sayyaf rebels would not release Schilling "for 10, even 100 of my grandfathers." The rebels are demanding that the arrested man, Ahman Opao, be released before they will discuss a deal to free Schilling. How the negotiations for Schilling's release will affect the seven Sipadan hostages who remain captive in rebel jungle camps is unclear. Libya negotiators and Philippine government officials claim there is no linkage and said they expect the hostages to be freed this week. | | Jeffrey Schilling But the rebels have threatened to scuttle the negotiations for the release of all hostages if Opao is not released. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
