"There is so much conflicting information on safety of the hostages, " Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Even the governments of foreign nationals seized by Abu Sayyaf renegades are behind President Joseph Estrada in his handling of the crisis and his giving top priority to the safety of the hostages.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Several of the hostages had appeared in videos warning against military intervention for the sake of their own safety.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS