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Thousands of Filipinos flee military assault on kidnappers |
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September 19, 2000
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine officials appeared less certain Monday that all 19 hostages held by Muslim rebels were still alive after the third day of an assault by thousands of government troops attempting to rescue the captives. Mortars, attack planes and helicopter gunships continued to pound rebel positions on southern Jolo island as the troops pursued the fleeing Abu Sayyaf rebels. About 5,000 villagers fled to the island's capital to escape the fighting and were being housed in mosques and schools, Governor Abdusakur Tan said. Civil defense officials said four civilians were confirmed dead. More injured civilians were believed to be trapped inside a tight military blockade of rebel areas and unable to reach the capital to receive treatment. Since the assault began Saturday, the military has overrun two major Abu Sayyaf camps and several smaller hide-outs but found no signs of the hostages. Officials continued a news blackout on most details of the assault, which the military said could last up to six days. But they appeared less confident that all the hostages remained alive. "We've not given them up yet," said presidential Press Secretary Ricardo Puno. "As far as we are concerned, we are hopeful, we're optimistic that many of them will turn up safe and sound, and can be recovered." Various Abu Sayyaf factions are currently holding an American, two French journalists, three Malaysians, a Filipino who was kidnapped with a larger group in April, and 12 Filipino Christian evangelists who came to pray for the other hostages. Eight rebels have been killed and 20 captured in the three days of fighting, while six government troops were wounded, military officials said. Fighting continued in many scattered areas of Jolo's jungles, Tan said. He said some of the rebels had fled toward coastlines in an attempt to escape from the island. Transportation and telephone links to the island were cut by the military, but the rebels are believed to have purchased high-speed boats with more than dlrs 15 million in ransom they reportedly received from Libya and Malaysia for earlier hostages. Cargo shipments and some telephone lines would be restored Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga said. The Abu Sayyaf claim they are seeking an independent Islamic state in the predominantly Christian Philippines. They have taken scores of people hostage in a series of kidnappings that began in March. President Joseph Estrada's decision to attack the rebels after nearly five months of negotiations has been widely supported by Filipinos. Hundreds of members of the evangelists' Jesus Miracle Crusade, however, demonstrated Monday to protest the assault. "They have put the lives of all the hostages in great danger," said Brother Danny Cuarteros, a member of the crusade who was earlier released by the rebels. France, Germany and Malaysia have also expressed concern that the attack would endanger the captives. French Ambassador Gilles Churaquin told the Department of Foreign Affairs Monday that his country "disagreed with the decision of the Philippine government to launch a military operation," acting Foreign Secretary Franklin Ebdalin said. "Our answer to that is the Philippine government has taken the decision considering that all the avenues of negotiations have been exhausted and there seems to be no end to the cycle of hostage-taking," Ebdalin said. |