Rice for Sayyaf to open talks

MALUGO, Basilan -- Government negotiators are set to deliver 185 sacks of rice to the Abu Sayyaf so negotiations can start for the release of 31 hostages.

Government negotiators had earlier brought with them 15 sacks of rice, 185 sacks fewer than what the Abu Sayyaf had demanded.

Abu Asmad Allyuddin, the group's spokesman, warned they would cut off negotiations and hold Vatican representative Fr. Nestor Banga and the ulamas (Muslim religious leaders) if the government does not make the delivery.

"We will hold Fr. Nestor Banga and the ulamas and send back Robin Padilla and (broadcaster) Ka Noli (de Castro)," he said in Filipino. "How can we start talks when a simple demand cannot be complied with? How much more a major demand which we will reveal to Robin?"

Earlier, the negotiators brought 15 sacks of rice with them to the terrorists' mountain hideout at Mt. Punoh Mahajid in Sumisip town, Basilan.

Upon learning that the 200 sacks they had demanded had not arrived, the guerrillas suspended the negotiations until the government had agreed to their demand.

"We were informed that the delivery of the remaining sacks of rice is on the way," Allayuddin said. "If we see positive results in the negotiations, we will release two young hostages to Robin and Ka Noli."

Allayuddin said Padilla and the government negotiators will go down from their mountain lair at 5 p.m. today and that they are expected to arrive in Isabela, the capital town of Basilan, at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Padilla has denied reports that he had been taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf, which is now known as Al Harakatul Islamia, in their mountain hideout.

In Congress, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the committee on national defense and security, said the Abu Sayyaf would be demanding more than sacks of rice because Padilla's arrival does not mean the 31 hostages would be freed.

"The government must study a change of manner in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf," he said. "It must pursue the Abu Sayyaf until they are demolished."

He said the Abu Sayyaf's occupation of five towns in Lanao del Norte requires swift military action.

On the other hand, Bataan Rep. Antonio Roman said the Abu Sayyaf's decision to stop the hostage's beheading justifies Padilla's participation in the negotiations.

"The truth is Mr. Padilla enjoys the confidence of the Abu Sayyaf, something that is not immediately apparent with the other senior and experienced members of the negotiating panel," he said.

He said that confidence is first among the many factors that enhance the success of the peace effort.

"There is no reason to diminish Mr. Padilla's contribution to the national interest just because he is a movie actor," Roman said --