Berlin - Muslim rebels in the Philippines who are holding 21 people hostage are receiving financial support from the wealthy Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, one of their leaders told the German TV network ZDF yesterday.
The network issued a statement saying Galib Andang, who leads the Abu Sayyaf insurgents under the alias "commander Robot", made the admission. The hostages are being held by the rebels on the southern Filipino island of Jolo.