TALIPAO, Philippines (1 Sep 2000) -- The Philippine army has launched a full-scale attack against Abu Sayyaf rebel bases deep in the jungle of Jolo Island in the southern Philippines. The attack came just hours after government officials announced that negotiations would continue for the release of 19 hostages, including two French television crew, an American and three Malaysian dive resort staff who were recently kidnapped from Pandanan Island in Borneo. Airplanes and helicopter gunships started bombing Abu Sayyaf positions early Saturday morning after a military buildup in the area. Government officials involved in negotiations to free the hostages said the talks had been called off. | | Abu Sayyaf "No more, the war has begun," he said. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
