DATE=10/02/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES FREED - S
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Officials in the Philippines say troops have rescued 13 of 17 hostages held for months by Muslim rebels. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports, the military operation to free the hostages and wipe out Abu Sayyaf rebels is now in its third week.
TEXT: Officials confirm that all 13 Philippine evangelists have been rescued on Jolo Island, the southern stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf rebels. The group had been abducted in July while visiting the rebel camp to pray for some two dozen people being held captive.
A total of 15 hostages have now escaped or been rescued since the Philippine military launched an assault September 16th to end the five month hostage standoff and wipe out the rebel captors.
Abu Sayyaf rebels, who say they want an independent homeland in the southern Philippines, have made a name for themselves with a series of high-profile kidnappings.
Months of negotiations and millions of dollars in ransom only seemed to encourage more abductions, prompting Manila to use force.
The Abu Sayyaf group is still holding an American and three Malaysians. (SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/JO/PFH
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