Muslim rebels holding US and Filipino hostages demanded today that the Philippine government let a Malaysian representative talk with them - or risk seeing the Americans executed.
Abu Sayyaf rebel spokesman Mr Abu Sabaya said in a call to local radio station RMN that he was giving the Philippines government until 12 o'clock (4 p.m.) today to respond to their demand.
"If not, we will start the cutting off the ribbons of the whites," Mr Sabaya, said, using an expression meaning the three American captives would be killed.
Shortly after Sabaya spoke, an armed forces spokesman in Manila appealed to the kidnappers to immediately contact a government-designated negotiator and pleaded with them not to harm the hostages.