Philippine rebels release Malaysian captives

Rebels take more hostages

The Malaysians were among 21 people, mostly international tourists, kidnapped from a Malaysian diving resort on April 23. The rebels then moved the captives to Jolo, in the southern Philippines, about 960 kilometers (600 miles) south of Manila.

The rebels continue to hold 11 of the original 21 hostages -- two Germans, Wallert's son and husband; two South Africans, two Finns, two French nationals, two Filipinos, and a Lebanese.

The rebels have taken 17 other people hostage -- a German reporter, a three-person French television crew and 13 Filipino evangelists -- in recent weeks.

The Abu Sayyaf is the smaller, more militant of two Muslim extremist groups fighting for an independent homeland in the southern Philippines. The other group is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Malaysians to return home

Aventajado had announced earlier Wednesday that he hoped the hostages would be freed, and that he planned to meet them in Zamboanga, a city in the southern Philippines.

"Until I have them, I can't say it's for sure, but you can say it's expected," Aventajado had said. He also said he expected the rebels to release three Filipino hostages -- two school teachers and a boy -- abducted from nearby Basilan island. However, there was no word on additonal hostages being freed.

Many had expected the Malaysians would be freed Tuesday, but negotiations reportedly hit a snag when the rebels demanded $15 million, instead of $2 million, for the captives.

Aventajado said the hostages would be taken from Zamboanga to Sabah, in east Malaysia.

"I think that's the idea," Aventajado said, "so they don't have to be here in Manila."