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DATE=5/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L)
NUMBER=2-261942
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Fighting between Philippine troops and Islamic 
rebels has left at least four hostages dead and 
several others wounded.  V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports 
from Manila on the latest developments in the ongoing 
clashes with the rebels, who have been holding 
separate groups of hostages (including several 
Westerners).
TEXT:  The four Philippine hostages were killed 
Wednesday when a military patrol surprised their 
Islamic rebel captors.  The rebels were trying to flee 
with the hostages from the southern island of Basilan. 
Fifteen of the 27 captives managed to escape and were 
taken by helicopter to a military hospital.  More than 
half of those who escaped are children, who were 
seized in late March, allegedly to be used by the 
rebels as human shields.
On nearby Jolo [pron: `HO-lo] Island, rebel leaders 
are holding a separate group of 21 hostages who were 
abducted on Easter Sunday from a Malaysian diving 
resort.  The rebels say two of the hostages died 
during a clash with government troops, but Philippine 
officials have been unable to confirm the deaths.  
Among the hostages are 10 foreign tourists from 
Germany, France, South Africa, Finland and Lebanon.  
There are also resort employees from Malaysia and the 
Philippines.
The rebels are part of the Abu Sayyaf [pron: ah-boo 
sigh-`EFF] Group, which wants to establish a separate 
Islamic homeland in the Mindanao region of the 
Philippines.  The group is also demanding the release 
of three Islamic militants held in the United States.  
U-S and Philippine officials have rejected the demand. 
Meanwhile, a larger rebel group, the Moro Islamic 
Liberation Front, has claimed responsibility for 
several deadly explosions that killed four people and 
injured at least 30 others.
The Philippines government and the M-I-L-F held peace 
talks earlier this year, but tension and 
confrontations have escalated in the past five days.   
(Signed)
NEB/AB/KBK/WTW
03-May-2000 13:52 PM EDT (03-May-2000 1752 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.