Amry blockades rebels' hideout

PHILIPPINE soldiers took up positions forming a blockade around the Patikul region where heavily armed rebels are still holding Malaysians and foreigners captive on Jolo island.

This latest development has raised eyebrows and, to a certain extent, even fears of an impending military assault-cum-rescue mission as the crisis enters its 103rd day.

Allaying fears, Jolo army commander Col A. Tolentino explained the blockade was to prevent journalists and unsanctioned emissaries from making their way into the rebels' stronghold.

This move, he added, followed recent speculations of the impending release of some of the captives.

While no official confirmation was forthcoming, it has been rumoured that following the release of Philippine journalists last Saturday, Malaysians and Filipino employees of Sipadan Island Resort would follow suit this weekend.

Surprisingly, news of the military movement which began just after noon reached the rebel leaders who immediately took up defensive measures.

Besides this, news of an ongoing Malaysia-Philippine bilateral exercise in Philippine waters between Sabah and Mindanao has also reached rebels' ears.

The exercise involving the navy, Customs and Immigration authorities comes under the auspices of a joint maritime committee which has been in place for several years now.

However, rebel sympathisers have misconstrued the recent developments and informed rebel leaders of a combined land-and-sea assault.

Leaving nothing to chance, the rebels fortified their strongholds in the Taglibi, Liang and Anoling areas in the Patikul region.

The remaining Sipadan kidnap victims have also been brought together in Patikul.

The Caucasians have been transferred from their previous camp and are now held captive together with the Malaysians and Filipinos.

Besides the Patikul region, the Philippine army, numbering some 400 regular soldiers, are also keeping close watch over Tios, Kutoong (both in Talipao) and Situ Poopoo in Bandang.

Rebel leaders Ghalib Andang, also known as Commander Robot, and Mujib Susukan who are keeping watch over the captives, are also reported to have secured a high-powered speed boat to facilitate a swift escape.

In a related development, splinter group rebels holding three Filipino labourers captive have formally demanded a RM150,000 (1.5 million peso) ransom for their release.

They are also demanding a RM13 million ransom for the release of 13 Manila-based Christian evangelists who entered the rebels' stronghold on their own accord more than a month ago.

"The rebels are showing their true colours ... It was all about securing ransom," a source with Government's negotiating panel said.

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