September 15, 2000, The Philippine Star / AP, Gov't considering news blackout on hostage crisis,

September 15, 2000, The Philippine Star / AP, Gov't considering news blackout on hostage crisis,

The government is considering imposing a news blackout on the prolonged hostage crisis involving Muslim rebels in Mindanao, an official said yesterday. 

Officials have strongly suggested they are considering a military attack on the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas following the kidnapping of three more Malaysians from a Malaysian diving resort Sunday. The hostages were brought to a jungle camp in Sulu, where the guerrillas are holding 16 other hostages. 

"I will endorse the idea of a non-reporting of the operational matters or matters that will prejudice national interest," National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said. 

He said the government should announce general actions involving the hostage crisis, but details should be kept secret to protect government operations. 

The latest kidnapping, following a promise by the guerrillas not to take any more hostages while negotiations are underway, was seen as a defiance of the government and angered many officials. 

However, during a high-level Cabinet meeting on security matters Wednesday chaired by President Estrada, the government opted to hold off taking tougher steps - including a possible military attack - for now. 

The abduction in Malaysia followed the release Saturday of four Europeans, the last foreigners from a group of 21 hostages taken in April from another Malaysian resort. 

The government said it is turning responsibility for negotiations for the three Malaysians over to local officials on Jolo, instead of to a special negotiating team that handled the earlier abductions. The team has been criticized for paying huge ransoms to the guerrillas. 

The Abu Sayyaf are also holding one Filipino captured at Sipadan, two French television journalists, an American Muslim and 12 Filipino Christian evangelists. 

The rebels claim they are fighting for an independent Islamic state in the impoverished southern Philippines. 

Negotiations for the remaining hostages have been suspended because of fighting among Abu Sayyaf factions over the division of ransom money. Negotiators say about $15 million in ransom has been paid so far, about $10 million of it by Libya. 

The abduction of the three new hostages has sparked fears of another wave of kidnappings encouraged by the large ransom payments.- AP