PALAWAN, Philippines (28 May 2001) -- The Philippines Navy has stepped up security around the island of Palawan after Abu Sayyaf bandits seized 20 tourists from the Dos Palmas luxury resort early Sunday morning. Last year Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists raked in millions of dollars in ransom payments for some 25 dive tourists and dive center staff seized from Malaysian dive resorts on Sipadan Island and Palawan Island. According to Philippines government officials, the rebels used the money to acquire high speed boats, buy sophisticated telecommunications equipment and arm over a thousand new recruits. Of the twenty hostages kidnapped from Dos Palmas, 17 are ethnic Chinese Filipino tourists and three are Americans, identified as Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries from the state of Kansas, and Guillermo Sobero. On Tuesday another armed group attacked a resort on the southern island of Mindanao, killing two local staff. None of the guests was kidnapped or harmed in the attack. | | Abu Sayyaf President Gloria Arroyo has ruled out any ransom negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf and has put up a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest or capture of leaders and members of the rebel group. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
