| Civilian casualties
in Sulu assault mounting ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ABS-CBN) - More civilian casualties are being
reported in the military assault of the Abu Sayyaf lair in Sulu island, an evacuee said
Friday.
The evacuee who arrived from Jolo at the Zamboanga Port this
morning said most of the casualties were civilians and not Abu Sayyaf guerillas.
The evacuee who came aboard the Navy's BRP Dagupan said many
bodies could be seen littered in the towns of Paticul and Talipao, where some could even
be seen in garbage dumps.
The evacuee, together with other passengers interviewed by
reporters refused to give their names fearing the military.
"Mga civilian ang marami...Mga patay marami...Kung may
20 marami [There were many civilians..many killed.. there were about 20]," the
evacuee told ABS-CBN.
Also, news wire reports said Friday mounting civilian
casualties from the military assault on the extremist group in Jolo province has cast
doubts on official claims that only four villagers have been hurt.
News wire Agence France Presse (AFP) said up to 15,000 people
have fled their homes to crowded evacuation center in or near Jolo town or by naval craft
to Zamboanga city.
It added evacuees said several people have been wounded by bombs or shells in the town of
Talipao 20 kilometers east of Jolo town.
The evacuee interviewed by ABS-CBN said also, the military was torturing the 22 Abu Sayyaf
guerillas they have captured.
In Manila, Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said he would go
to Zamboanga City to check on the conflicting reports about civilian casualties.
"We have to determine this because we all know there is a propaganda war going
on," he said, adding that civilians would be helped "regardless of whether their
inclination is for the Abu Sayyaf or otherwise."
Provincial governor Abdusakur Tan has expressed fears about possible civilian casualties.
Tan set up a new joint military and civilian body to help evacuees and investigate
complaints against the army.
AFP said some 400 people from Jolo, clutching bundles and
boxes of possessions and surrounded by crying children, arrived by navy craft Friday at
Zamboanga.
A certain Arcera Dizon reportedly said she saw an old man who
had been killed in the attack but did not know how.
"None of the Abu Sayyaf are dying, but there are many civilians (affected.) There are
also many houses that have been destroyed," said one man who refused to give his
name.
"We saw dead people yesterday. It is very chaotic
there," said another elderly woman who also requested anonymity.
Only four?
The military maintains that only four civilians have been
wounded and none killed since the ground and air attack was launched last Saturday.
The assault was ordered by President Joseph Estrada to end the five-month hostage crisis
after the rebels seized more hostages having released a number reportedly for millions of
dollars in ransoms.
Local reporters in Jolo are either prevented from travelling outside Jolo town or being
delayed at numerous checkpoints.
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