ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (10 June 2001) -- Army troops shot and killed two Abu Sayyaf rebels today as the deadline neared for beheading three US hostages. Four days ago, the bandits warned they will behead a U.S. missionary couple and an American tourist unless the government agrees to appoint a Malaysian to negotiate with them. The government has rejected the demand and said the army will continue its mission to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf and rescue the hostages. "We have learned a lesson from the past," said Philippine President Gloria Arroyo. "Ransom was paid to them and what happened? They continued kidnapping and to modernize their armaments." Last year, the Abu Sayyaf seized more than 40 foreigners and Filipinos from Jolo Island and the nearby Malaysian dive resorts on Sipadan and Pandanan islands. The rebels held the hostages captive for months until ransoms exceeding $20 million were paid. | | Abu Sayyaf On May 27, the Abu Sayyaf abducted 20 tourists from the Dos Palmas beach resort in Palawan and took them to Basilan, some 300 miles across open seas to the southwest. Nine hostages have escaped or been released and two were executed. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
