04 October 2000 - ABS-CBN

DFA bares Sayyaf plot to abduct more Malaysians

SULU, (ABS-CBN) - The Philippines assured the Malaysian government on Tuesday that the military is wasting no time to secure the release of three Malaysians held by the Abu Sayyaf along with one American and a Filipino.

This even as the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed the extremist rebel group is plotting to abduct more Malaysians as replacements of the hostages earlier rescued by the military.

Secretary Domingo Siazon disclosed Malaysian foreign minister Hamid Albar has already expressed concern on the status of the Malaysian hostages.

Siazon, however, maintained the hostages' safety remains the military's primary objective. He added the military also wants to make sure no additional hostages would be taken by the Abu Sayyaf.

DFA undersecretary Lauro Baja meantime reiterated Malaysia remains supportive of the military offensives in Jolo.

10 ASG rebs killed, death toll at 135
Meanwhile, the death toll in the ongoing military assault against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu rose to 135 as the rescue operations entered its 18th day Tuesday.

Of the total fatalities, eight belonged to the government -- five soldiers and three civilian volunteers -- while the remaining 127 were from the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

In addition, 16 have been wounded on the government side while 53 ASG members are under custody of the government.

Three encounters occurred Monday afternoon in separate towns in Sulu, on the same day all the 12 Jesus Miracle Crusade "prayer warriors" were rescued by pursuing government troops.

The first encounter occurred 6:30 a.m. between elements of the Alpha Company of the 59th Infantry Battalion and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Puting Buhangin in Talipao.

Firefight lasted for 15 minutes wherein 10 ASG members were killed while there was no casualty on the government side.

Recovered from the encounter site were a bandolier with two magazines for M16 rifles; three batteries; one US camouflage field jacket; a sunglass and two containers of crude oil.

Around 2:15 p.m., Philippine marines scouring barangay Sangahan in Talipao engaged about 20 fully-armed ASG bandits in a 10-minute firefight.

Two MG-520 attack helicopters provided close air support to the ground troops which prompted the enemy to withdraw towards a southwest direction.

Marine soldiers later discovered traces of blood along the escape route of the terrorists although there were no confirmed report of any casualties on both sides.

Recovered were assorted foodstuffs; a black uniform with patches of "MNLF Ranger" with name cloth "Salip Sakib;" and a Marine camouflage with name cloth "Mahir/Army."

The last recorded encounter on Monday occurred 4:36 p.m. between elements from the 23rd Marine Company and 70 ASG members in Barangay Kugas in Patikul.

The 30-minute firefight resulted in the death of Marine Private First Class Michael Mique and the wounding of two others: Sergeant Leopoldo Ramos and Corporal Mariano Jampit.

As in previous encounters, two MG-520 choppers provided close air support to the ground troops which prompted the enemy to scamper toward different directions.

Back to Sipadan/Pandanan Hostages News

Back to This Week's Borneo News