111.  Philippine officials, however, expressed skepticism over the claim by the extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels.

112.  Philippine Embassy officials earlier blamed unscrupulous job agents for sending underage workers to the Gulf and the Middle East, mainly as domestic help.

113.  Philippine military officials said more U.S. troops would arrive in Zamboanga on Monday and the training exercises will officially start Wednesday with a formal ceremony.

114.  Philippine navy officials said they sought rescue assistance from the Chinese maritime authorities.

115.  Philippine official says ASEAN may reconsider decision to admit Cambodia.

116.  Philippine officials and the IMF team are still negotiating on the possible granting of the standby facility.

117.  Philippine officials confirmed rebels kidnapped an American man and threatened to kill him unless the United States accepts their demands.

118.  Philippine officials demanded that China stop the buildup and dismantle all structures.

119.  Philippine officials earlier said requests for the meeting with the pro-democracy leader had been relayed unofficially to low-level Burmese officials to test their chances.

120.  Philippine officials earlier said they were trying to arrange a meeting between Ramos and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.