12 Filipino hostages rescued

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 2. The Philippine military today rescued 12 Filipino hostages on the southern Jolo island as its operation against the Abu Sayyaf militia entered the 17th day today.

The 12 were Christian evangelists who had gone to the Abu Sayyaf ``voluntarily'', but were taken hostage. Three Malaysians, one American and another Filipino are still in captivity.

The Filipino success came at a time when there was mounting criticism against the Government's military operation which had been described as too general and had caused several, unaccounted for civilian casualties.

``The military chief General Angelo Reyes called me and said brother Almeda (leader of the evangelists) and his followers have been rescued in the village of Mabahay in the Talipao municipality,'' the Philippine President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, told a local radio station.

Calling on the Abu Sayyaf to surrender immediately, Mr. Estrada said the Government was not joking when it spoke of ``crushing'' the Muslim separatist group, which specialises in the kidnapping business.

``They should all be finished in the soonest possible time so that peace will return in Mindanao (the Muslim-majority main southern island),'' the President was quoted as saying.

Military officials were quoted as saying that the remaining five hostages were still on Jolo island. ``They (the hostages) are still in Jolo. We continue to follow leads on them,'' one of them said. ``We are hoping to rescue the others soon.''

The military campaign has widespread support among ordinary Filipinos. The serial hostage-taking had sickened people and led to calls for strong action against the separatist outfit.

Two French television journalists managed to escape on September 20, soon after the military offensive. Since then, however, there has been some criticism of the operation, with a senior police official being quoted as saying that he personally favoured a ``commando operation'' as opposed to the shelling, bombing and infantry movement. The release of the 12 preachers today will, once again, bolster the Government's position.

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Section  : International
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