THE whereabouts of Hong Kong hostages Law Cheung-yau, 36, and So Chi-ming, 38, was uncertain last night following a gun battle between security forces and suspected kidnappers in Talipao town, Sulu province, southern Philippines.

Seven suspects were killed and five were wounded in the clash. The kidnappers had demanded $1.5 million for the release of Law, So and Malaysian Tong Ket Ming, 25, who were kidnapped last month.