DATE=9/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266482
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants, holding 19
hostages, are threatening to create havoc in cities in
the southern Philippines if the military launches an
assault on them. As Konrad Muller reports from Manila,
the warning comes amid continuing signs the Philippine
government is contemplating the use of force against
the rebels to end a 20-week long crisis.
TEXT: A rebel spokesman, Abu Sabbaya, says if the
Philippine military strikes, his group will attack
southern cities in retaliation. He issued the warning
on a local radio station Thursday, saying guerrillas
have been deployed to Jolo City, Zamboanga, Davao and
General Santos. The rebel spokesman encouraged Muslim
residents in this mostly Catholic country to evacuate
to avoid getting hurt.
Wednesday, Philippine security officials held an
emergency meeting and announced they would continue to
negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers for now.
But as Manila is coming under increasing criticism for
its handling of the hostage crisis, there are new
signs the government is preparing for military action.
National Security Advisor Alexander Aguirre said
Thursday he favors a proposed news blackout on what he
calls military operational matters. An elite strike
force reportedly has already been deployed to Jolo
Island - the heart of the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping
operations. And Marine units are said to be on standby
in Zamboanga.
Various factions of the Abu Sayyaf are holding 19
people - 13 from the Philippines, two French
television journalists, an American, and three
Malaysians abducted Sunday in a raid on a Malaysian
resort.
Dozens of hostages have already been released since
the crisis started in April with a kidnapping raid on
another Malaysian island
resort. About 15 million dollars in ransom is believed
to have been paid to date. Critics charge that the
money - whether it is called ransom or development aid
- has only encouraged the rebels to keeping taking
hostages.
Defense officials in Manila admit any resort to force
would be costly. The jungle terrain is rugged. Rebel
ranks have swollen to around three thousand, and now
they are reportedly well armed with machine guns,
grenade launchers, and mortars.
NEB/HK/KM/GC/JO/PLM
14-Sep-2000 06:29 AM EDT (14-Sep-2000 1029 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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