Concession to kidnappers wins lifeline for US hostage
Minutes before a deadline by Muslim extremists to behead an American captive, the Philippine Government today dropped its objection to bringing in a Malaysian negotiator in an effort to end a two-week-old hostage crisis.
As the noon (5am Irish time) deadline passed, Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya called in by satellite telephone to a local radio station, saying he may postpone the execution if the Malaysian Government confirmed it would allow Senator Sairin Karno to enter the negotiations.
But Sabaya also issued a veiled threat against a massive military search.
‘‘If what they say is true that they will contact the Malaysian Government and let Sairin come in, and remove the military operation, we may postpone the beheading,’’ Sabaya said. ‘‘But if the Government continues to invade, it’s up to them.’’
The Government was obviously relieved at the reprieve but reiterated its no-ransom policy and refused to call off the thousands of troops swarming over the southern island of Basilan.
"We will do anything we can so that no one will be harmed," presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.
‘‘But we will not stop (military) operations. We cannot accept ransom demands. Our democracy will be destroyed if we cave in to ransom demands.’’
