Isabela, Philippines - Philippine officials said they had received word that Muslim rebels would free some hostages yesterday but as dusk fell there was no sign of any release. There was also no confirmed word on the fate of an American hostage the rebels claim to have beheaded.
The Filipino Defence Secretary, Mr Angelo Reyes, told reporters in Isabela on the southern Basilan island where the Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding US and Filipino hostages, that authorities had unconfirmed reports some hostages would be released.
