Abu Sayyaf, which has been holding an American missionary couple hostage in the jungles here for nearly 10 months, has offered to release them for about $1 million. The offer, which came to the Philippine government through another Islamic group, was relayed to the American Embassy here this morning. Although Philippine government policy is not to pay ransoms, the officials said that some cabinet members were inclined to do so in this case, but that the government would not act over any objections from the United States.
If they get the swag, expect them to try and fade back into the woodwork for a year or two, until the heat's off and the US as gone away. |