December 11, 2000, BBC News, Estrada denies German ransom allegations,

December 11, 2000, BBC News, Estrada denies German ransom allegations,

Philippine President Joseph Estrada has denied a German report claiming he kept money from a ransom payment to Muslim extremists who held a group of Westerners hostage earlier this year.

Der Spiegel magazine published the accusations as the impeachment trial against Mr Estrada on charges of corruption and bribery continues in Manila.

According to the magazine, German secret police had tapped mobile phone conversations between the chief Philippine negotiator, Roberto Aventajado, and the Abu Sayyaf rebels.

Der Spiegel quoted police as saying Mr Estrada had skimmed 40% from a $20m ransom package, while Mr Aventajado had kept 10%.

Mr Estrada's spokesman said: "The president was categorical in vehemently denying that he has anything to do with the ransom money."

The chief negotiator described the allegations as "lies" and threatened to start legal proceedings against the German publication.

'Suspicious timing'

Ricardo Puno, spokesman for the president described the timing release of the report on the ransom money as suspicious and "deliberate".

"Obviously its intent is to embarrass the president and somehow influence the outcome of the trial," he added.

President Estrada's chief of staff, Ronaldo Zamora, said the government had sent two police officers to help the German police translate the tapes.

He told radio DZMM that the allegations reported in Der Spiegel did not come up in the transcripts brought back by the Philippine officers.

Ransom money

Abu Sayyaf rebels abducted 21 Asian and European hostages from a Malaysian resort in April and took them to the southern Philippine island of Jolo.

After much diplomatic intervention, the Muslim separatists were reported to have received huge ransom payments for the release of part of the group.

More hostages were abducted later and held in the rebels' jungle hideout in Jolo.

The Philippine security forces have managed to rescue most of them, but the separatists still hold an American and a Filipino.