(9 Sep 2000) Natural Sound
XFA
Two people acting as go-betweens for Muslim rebels and Filipino government negotiators were ambushed on their way to meet the rebels to arrange the release of European hostages.
Four European hostages - two Finns, a French citizen and a German - were eventually released on Saturday but not before one bodyguard was killed and another five injured in the ambush.
Local officials blamed the attack on another Abu Sayyaf rebel faction.
The go-betweens were being escorted by Ghalib "Robot" Andang, the leader of the rebel faction holding the hostages, when they were attacked by another guerrilla faction.
Shooting continued for several hours after the start of the attack.
Two French television journalists and 12 Filipino Christian evangelists are still being held hostage only five kilometres from where the ambush took place.
The rebels refused to release the two French journalists, breaking an earlier pledge to free all the European captives.
Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado wouldn't comment on the motive for the ambush, but the go-betweens were believed to be carrying a large ransom for the Europeans' release.
At a news conference in Zamboanga on Saturday, Aventajado's media consultant said neither of the two go-betweens were hurt in the ambush.
Officials have reported growing tensions within the Abu Sayyaf rebel group over the sharing of (m) millions of dollars in ransom money they have received for earlier hostage releases.
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