DATE=5/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L)
NUMBER=2-262018
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Muslim rebels in the Philippines continue to
hold two groups of hostages. As V-O-A Correspondent
Amy Bickers reports from Manila, captives rescued
earlier this week are giving chilling accounts of
their experience.
TEXT: Some of the fifteen hostages rescued on
Wednesday say they were tortured by their Muslim rebel
captors. They were among 27 captives seized March 20th
by a band of Abu Sayyaf rebels. The freed hostages
also say they were forced to walk barefoot on mountain
trails and that they often
ate just one meal a day.
According to their accounts of the ordeal, adult women
hostages were regularly slapped when they refused to
answer questions. A priest, who was one of four
captives killed, was beaten frequently.
The former hostages also say the rebels forced them to
stay in two box-like rooms made from
wooden planks. The only opening was a trap door on the
ceiling.
The guerrillas' mountain-top stronghold was overrun by
soldiers last weekend. Philippine troops found the
rebels and hostages at a river crossing and managed to
free nine children and six teachers. The rebels fled
with the remaining
captives.
The Philippines government says troops are pursuing
them in hopes of rescuing the remaining hostages.
Several rescued hostages say the guerrillas told them
they were going to the neighboring island of Jolo,
where another unit of Abu Sayyaf rebels is holding a
separate group of 21 hostages, including 10 foreign
tourists.
The second group was kidnapped April 23rd from a
nearby Malaysian diving resort. Periodic
clashes with government forces encircling them have
caused the guerrillas to scatter their captives to
other hideouts.
/// OPT /// The rebels have threatened to behead two
foreign hostages if the military does not withdraw.
But political analyst Alex Magno says the military
will not retreat.
/// MAGNO ACT ///
The kidnappers over the last few days and up to last
night have tried to break through the cordon which has
resulted in skirmishes. But that cordon will remain in
place. The real problem is whether we have a coherent
negotiation strategy in place and if the designated
indivduals are mandated and have a clear objective.
/// END ACT ///
Diplomats from France, Finland and Germany say they
will set up a joint task force to help the Manila
government free the hostages. Foreign ministers from
those countries have also sent a letter to their
counterpart in the Philippines, emphasizing the
importance of finding a peaceful solution to the
crisis. /// END OPT ///
An emissary for the government's hostage negotiator
made contact with the kidnappers on Thursday and says
recent fighting has left two hostages wounded. There
were earlier reports that
two hostages died during the clashes.
/// REST OPT ///
The emissary also says that medicine sent by Germany,
France and Finland has reached the hostages.
He also warns that the rebels are making threats
against local and foreign journalists covering the
crisis in Jolo. (SIGNED)
NEB/AB/FC/PLM
05-May-2000 03:31 AM EDT (05-May-2000 0731 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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