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DATE=9/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES ASSAULT (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266588
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Philippine armed forces have launched a massive 
assault to rescue 19 hostages being held by Islamic 
extremists on the southern island of Jolo. As Konrad 
Muller reports from Manila, there is no immediate word 
on casualties, nor on the state of the hostages.
TEXT: In a taped message, President Joseph Estrada 
told Filipinos he issued an early morning order 
authorizing the military assault. He acknowledged that 
the operation to free the 19 foreign and Filipino 
hostages was risky, both to the hostages and the 
troops, but said "enough is enough".
Residents on Jolo island say the assault began at 
dawn-with light bombers and helicopter gunships 
pounding and strafing jungle bases where the hostages 
are being held by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim separatist 
group. Villagers have streamed into the provincial 
capital for safety..
There is still  no  information on casualties, and the 
fate of the hostages was  not  immediately known. They 
include 13 Filipinos, three Malaysians, two French, 
and one American.
The Philippine president's resort to force came hours 
after he was visited by U-S Defense Secretary William 
Cohen. During his visit, Mr. Cohen reportedly 
counselled President Estrada to continue negotiations 
with the kidnappers. 
In public remarks earlier, Mr Cohen signalled 
Washington's hope the crisis could be resolved 
peacefully, but acknowledged this was ultimately a 
matter for Manila.
France, however, has taken a different line. According 
to a statement issued in Paris, French President 
Jacques Chirac has conveyed through diplomatic 
channels his deep anxiety and disagreement with the 
use of force in attempts to rescue the hostages.
Nevertheless, Mr. Estrada's move is not surprising. 
His administration's patience with the hostage saga 
has been visibly fraying. The kidnappings have dragged 
on nearly five months, with millions of dollars in 
reported ransom payments only inspiring fresh 
kidnappings.
The latest abduction occurred last Sunday, when Abu 
Sayyaf gunmen snatched three Malaysians from a 
Malaysian island resort. Officials say that incident 
pushed President Estrada to change his position and 
order the military into action to free the 
hostages.(Signed)
NEB/KM/PFH
16-Sep-2000 03:53 AM EDT (16-Sep-2000 0753 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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