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JOLO, Philippines, July 14 (AFP) - Muslim separatists holding dozens of hostages released a second Malaysian Friday, as diplomatic pressure increased on the Philippines to end its three-month old hostage crisis. The release of Malaysian policeman Abdul Jawah Sulawat was announced just after Foreign Ministers Hubert Vedrine of France, Joschka Fischer of Germany and Errki Tuomioja of Finland left Manila after prodding the government to seek a quick resolution to the crisis. "I am feeling well. Thank God, I am safe," Jawah said in nearby Zamboanga city where he was presented to reporters by chief negotiator Roberto Aventjado nearly 20 hours after he was freed by the Abu Sayyaf group. Wearing a striped gray and white collared shirt and black trousers, Jawah appeared haggard and fidgety throughout the brief news conference and declined to reveal how he was freed. Aventajado said no ransom was paid to secure Jawah's freedom, but said certain economic concessions were promised to Abu Sayyaf Muslim separatists. "There was a promise to provide livelihood programs in Talipao town. So this will be the basis for future release of hostages," Aventajado said without elaborating. Sources earlier said independent emissaries had raised 20 million pesos (454,000 dollars) to buy Jawah's freedom. Aventajado said some of the remaining Malaysian hostages might be released "in a week or so." Jawah, a 38-year-old policeman from Sabah, was among nine Malaysian captives originally snatched by Abu Sayyaf gunmen from a Malaysian dive resort in April along with two Filipinos and 10 Europeans. Last month, Zulkarnain Hashim, another Malaysian, was released as a "goodwill gesture" by the rebels. Aventajado said Jawah would be turned over to Malaysian ambassador Arshad Hussein in Zamboanga Saturday morning. It was not clear whether he would be presented to Estrada or be flown straight to Malaysia. On Thursday, President Joseph Estrada assured the European ministers that the safety of the hostages would not be compromised in any bid to end the crisis. Estrada's spokesman Ricardo Puno in Manila denied Jawah's freedom was bought, stressing that the palace was not "aware of any such ransom payment made nor (have we) sanctioned or approved any such payment of ransom." Jawah's wife praised God for his long awaited release. "I thank God. My husband is safe and he has been released. Only God knows how painful it has been for all of us all this while," Norismah Musbani told AFP. Norismah said her husband telephoned her Friday to inform her of his release. "We may hold a thanksgiving prayer and a big feast to welcome him back," she added. Jawah's release also bolstered hopes that other hostages would be released in the next few days, officials said. "This may be part of continuing discussions with Abu Sayyaf, they have already indicated that there is a very good prospect of additional hostages being released," Puno said. "I don't want to be overly optimistic, but there is a very good chance that in the next several days we could see some developments in that area." There are now 39 remaining hostages in Jolo -- 18 Filipinos, seven Malaysians, four Germans, five French, two South Africans, two Finns and one Lebanese. An open letter written by Finn captive Risto Vahanen said the group of Western hostages who were isolated from the rest were living "under miserable and inhuman conditions" with many now sickly. He also called on the government to "get us out of these inhuman conditions without delay peacefully, without force." The European ministers said they were against any payment of ransom demanded by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists but would let the Philippine government decide on the "final settlement." "The final settlement will be found by the Philippine authorities," French minister Vedrine said. "That is their commitment. It is in their own interest and our interest too," he said. The Abu Sayyaf gunmen had demanded cash payments of up to one million dollars per captive for their release, aside from a host of political demands. Aventajado also announced Friday a revamp of the negotiating process with the Abu Sayyaf, with only one go-between in talks involving him and the top rebel leader, Galib Andang, known as Commander Robot. The new mediator should reach Jolo island by Saturday. |
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