| TWO HOSTAGES
REPORTED KILLED IN PHILIPPINES ARMY CLASH WITH REBELS May 3, 2000
Web posted at: 9:59 a.m. HKT (0159 GMT)
JOLO ISLAND, Philippines (CNN) -- Muslim extremists holding 21 hostages in the southern
Philippines told local radio Wednesday that two hostages died during a battle between
rebels and government forces.
The claim could not be
independently confirmed, but the government said they are checking into the report.
A rebel spokesman early
Wednesday called local radio, asking for a doctor -- but later called back, claiming two
hostages were dead.
CNN Correspondent Maria Ressa
said the spokesman claimed one white male died of a stray gunshot wound during the
firefight and that a white female died of a heart attack.
A rebel leader Tuesday had
threatened to behead two of the captives. The hostage takers are members of the Abu Sayyaf
Muslim separatist group.
The fighting between the rebels
and government forces intensified throughout the day Tuesday and continued early
Wednesday. At least one government soldier
was killed during the fighting, military officials said.
Government officials said it is
no secret where the hostages are being kept -- in a bamboo hut in Talipao on Jolo. The
military had brought in 400 to 500 security forces to try to secure the area and prevent
anyone from entering or leaving Tuesday.
The group of 21 hostages
includes 10 tourists from Germany, France, South Africa, Finland and Lebanon. The
remaining hostages are said to be resort workers from the Philippines and Malaysia.
The hostages were kidnapped Easter Sunday on the Malaysian
island of Sipadan, a noted diving resort. They were shown in videotape shot over the
weekend huddled in a small bamboo hut.
The Abu Sayyaf group is seeking
to form an Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
Troops have ringed the camp
where the hostages are being kept and the high tension has led to sporadic exchanges of
fire with the rebels. But Tuesday's shootout was the first time there were casualties.
A caller to a local radio
station who claimed to be one of the gunmen holding the hostages has threatened to behead
two of the captives unless the troops are pulled back.
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