By
The Associated Press
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines - Six Europeans held hostage for months in a southern Philippine jungle will be freed tomorrow, their Muslim rebel captors said yesterday.
Their release would leave one foreigner - an American - and 12 Filipinos in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf rebels.
Rebel commander Ghalib "Robot" Andang telephoned negotiators to notify them of the date of the Europeans' release, chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado said.
Andang had promised 10 days ago to free all the Europeans within two weeks. His rebel faction is holding two Finns, a French and a German, all kidnapped April 23 from a Malaysian diving resort, and two French journalists.
Negotiations for the release American Jeffrey Schilling, 24, began yesterday, officials said. Schilling is reportedly being held by a separate Muslim rebel faction.
Provincial Vice Governor Munib Estino, appointed by the government to negotiate for Schilling, traveled yesterday to the Abu Sayyaf's camp on southern Jolo island.
The rebels have not announced their demands for Schilling's release, although rebel spokesman Abu Sabaya has privately demanded $10 million, negotiators said.
"Once I touch the ground, I will know what their demands and suggestions are," Estino said. The demands will be relayed to the Philippine Cabinet, and if acceptable, "then the job is finished," he said.
Estino said he met earlier with U.S. Embassy officials but declined to elaborate.
Schilling visited the Abu Sayyaf camp on Aug. 28. Philippine reports said the rebels seized Schilling, who converted to Islam in 1994, during an argument over religious and political issues.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer said Sabaya invited Schilling to the camp on Jolo, about 580 miles south of Manila, to discuss weapons purchases.
Schilling had planned to return to Oakland, Calif., on Sept. 3, with his Filipino Muslim wife, Ivi Osani.
In a statement, Schilling's mother, Carol, denied he went to the rebel camp to negotiate about weapons.
"He is not now nor has he ever been involved in arms dealing," she said. "These allegations are groundless."
She said Schilling, a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, had been concerned over the plight of Muslims on the Philippines and had sent them money, food and clothing.
The Red Cross is waiting for clearance from local officials to deliver food and medicines to Schilling, who reportedly has asthma and other health problems. Also in the shipment is a letter from his wife.
"Please take your meal. You need to eat for your body's sustenance," her letter says. "Never worry about me. I am fine. We have much to do and I know Allah will be with us. I'll keep in touch with your Mom. I love you."
Osani is a second cousin of Sabaya, the rebel spokesman, and the widow of an Abu Sayyaf rebel killed by government forces.
Government efforts to free the European hostages resumed this week after the return Tuesday of Libyan envoy Rajab Azzarouq. Libya reportedly paid $6 million for the release of six other foreigners last week, though it says the money was for development projects.
Azzarouq indicated Libya would be willing to help free Schilling if asked to do so by the Philippine government.
"Of course we sympathize with his predicament," he said. "No one has approached us."
The United States has criticized Libya for paying ransom to the rebels and is unlikely to accept assistance from a country it has labeled a supporter of international terrorism.
The Muslim rebels say they are fighting for an independent Islamic state.
