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April 16, 2000, PHNO, ERAP, Mercado Call Abu Sayyaf Demands Impossible,

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Basilan school abduction

April 16, 2000, PHNO, ERAP, Mercado Call Abu Sayyaf Demands Impossible

Manila, April 16, 2000 - President Estrada led government officials who rejected yesterday demands from the Abu Sayyaf rebel group that he intercede for the release of five Islamic extremist terrorists held in US and local jails in exchange for the freedom of 29 hostages held by the group in Basilan.

"It is impossible. We will not compromise with them," Mr. Estrada told reporters in response to the five-point demand of the fundamentalist group Abu Sayyaf. "I am warning them, they will be met with the full force of the law and full force of the military."

"We will teach them a lesson," he said. "We will not allow them to kidnap more victims. We will not tolerate their committing terrorist acts."

While conceding that "it will take a little time" before the hostages are released, Estrada expressed confidence the government "will surely win the fight" against the Abu Sayyaf.

Almost identical was the reaction of Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, who said that Muslim rebel demands were "impossible" and "illogical."

"These are not only impossible demands but illogical as well," Mercado said, stressing that the Philippines could not compel foreign countries to release prisoners.

He voiced hoped that the demands by the Abu Sayyaf group for the release of 29 hostages they are holding in Basilan were just part of the "usual bargaining process" and that they would eventually formulate more realistic demands.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the rebels' demands are "ridiculous" and "out of this world."

Earlier, Abu Ahmad, spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf, said his group was demanding freedom for three Muslim militants jailed in the United States, including Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York.

Yousef hid in Manila before fleeing to Pakistan, where he was arrested in 1995. The Philippine National Police said the Abu Sayyaf had links with Yousef, who allegedly planned to assassinate Pope John Paul II during the pontiff's visit to Manila in early 1995.

"We don't care what you call them, whether international terrorists or not. They are our Muslim brothers," Ahmad said.

"We will not beg the government to grant our demands. If they want war tomorrow, we are ready," he added.

The rebels also demanded the release of two other overseas Muslim prisoners, a certain Abu Haidal and Sheik Abdul Omar.

Ahmad further demanded the release of two Abu Sayyaf members, Hajirul Ampul and Ustadz Ampawho are being held in local jails.

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