RP urged to ensure hostages' safety

Germany, Finland, France, Malaysia and South Africa urged the Philippine government yesterday to ensure the safety of their citizens taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf extremist rebels.

They said no action that would endanger the hostages should be taken and have warned their citizens in the country to avoid travelling to Mindanao.

Ten of the 21 hostages have written letters to their embassies asking them to pressure the Philippine government to speed up negotiations and stop military operations.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr. said yesterday the government has not closed the option of seeking the assistance of foreign governments to resolve the hostage crisis.

"We have always indicated that this is a Philippine government matter. However, since the hostages involved are foreigners, of course, we'll have to listen to inputs of their respective governments," he said.

But Siazon said the government would not allow foreign embassies to negotiate with the kidnappers for the release of their citizens since the crisis would degenerate into a "bazaar," meaning the kidnappers would entertain "the highest bidder." -