After three weeks of confusing and sometimes conflicting demands, Muslim rebels holding 21 mostly foreign hostages on the south Philippine island of Jolo appear to have formulated a definitive list of conditions for their release.
The demands, which include a withdrawal of troops and political autonomy, were taken by negotiators directly to Manila for delivery to President Joseph Estrada. The Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebel group has been holding the hostages on Jolo since April 23rd and eight Filipinos on nearby Basilan island.
Eleven of 13 journalists reported missing on Jolo on Saturday had returned safely by yesterday evening. They had set out through jungle terrain to try to see the hostages, who include nine Malaysians, three Germans, two French, two South Africans, two Finns, two Filipinos and one Lebanese. The two journalists still missing were named by officials as Olivier Baube of Agence France-Presse and Gerome Froter.
Mr Michel Scott of the French television station TF1 said he saw the two French hostages and spoke to the rebels' chief, known as "Commander Robot". Commenting on their condition, he said: "Not too bad. OK, physically. Mentally it's another thing because they're fed up with all this, fed up, really exhausted, mentally exhausted."
He said the rebel leaders were very friendly but added, referring to the hostage, Ms Renate Wallert, who has high blood pressure, "apparently there is absolutely no question of a quick release of any of them, even the German woman."
Negotiators had sought her early release on humanitarian grounds, but the kidnappers claim her health has improved. A rebel spokesman told a local radio station that she had been the first to run when gunfire came from troops nearby.
Two negotiators who met Abu Sayyaf leaders on Saturday, the Libyan envoy, Mr Rajab Azzarouq, and the presidential adviser, Mr Robert Aventajado, said they would meet President Estrada in Manila today.
The demands include a withdrawal of troops from around the camp on Jolo, a ban on fishing by foreigners in Mindanao, a halt to development projects which have exploited common lands and recognition of a 24-year-old autonomy agreement.
Only four provinces have been granted self-rule under the 1976 Tripoli agreement between the government and rebels which provided for the possible grouping of 13 provinces and several cities within an autonomous Muslim region.
Further talks are planned for later this week, which means that the hostages cannot expect an early release. An Islamic scholar, Mr Farukh Hussain, who met Abu Sayyaf rebels on Saturday, said the talks were "very relaxed" and the militants' demands "quite reasonable" and did not include ransom money.
On Mindanao island the army said the Moro Islamic Liberation Army (MILF) took some 183 Filipinos captive on Saturday after occupying a village but released them yesterday when its forces withdrew.
The MILF has widespread support among Mindanao's four million Muslims for its goal of an Islamic state.
In Manila a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at police headquarters yesterday, possibly by MILF guerrillas. It exploded 50 metres from the national police chief's home. No one was hurt.
A Filipino, Mr Michael Buen, questioned in connection with the "Love Bug" computer virus yesterday denied any involvement in the virus that afflicted computers around the world.