Manila - Muslim guerrillas in the southern Philippines yesterday backed off threats to kill a US hostage following an emotional plea by the captive's mother on local radio.
With mere minutes to spare before the 5 p.m. (8 a.m. Irish time) ultimatum ran out, a spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf group came on radio and instructed Mr Jeffrey Schilling's mother to put pressure on Manila to pull out military units sent to hunt down the rebels.
The Philippine and US governments welcomed the news, and urged the rebels to free the 25-year-old Californian unconditionally.
