Troops pursue
Abus holding two hostages
By Maritess Fernandez, Mindanao News Bureau ZAMBOANGA
CITY—Government troops are concentrating pursuit operations in Jolo on the Abu Sayyaf
bands holding American Jeffrey Craig Edward Schilling and Filipino diver Roland Ullah,
following the surrender Friday by 26 members of the Muslim extremist group.
Southern
Command spokesman Army Col. Hilario Atendido said troops were pursuing the group, believed
to be followers of Abu Sabaya and Khaddafy Janjalani, in Panglima Estino, Maimbung,
Talipao and Patikul towns.
“Military
rescue operations are still going on and we are not stopping until the hostages are
recovered alive,” Atendido said.
He said Schilling
was sighted with his captors in Patikul town, while Ullah, the lone remaining Sipadan
hostage, was last seen in Talipao town.
The government has
deployed some 5,000 soldiers and policemen to Sulu. More than 150 rebels have been killed
in the rescue operation, which began Sept. 16.
Atendido said 26
Abu Sayyaf rebels surrendered Friday to the Army’s Task Force Trident, turning in
assorted high-powered weapons, mostly automatic rifles.
He said the rebels
have been immediately placed under tactical interrogation.
“We want to
know from them the location of the hostages and their leaders,” Atendido said.
As this developed,
Sulu police chief Candido Casimiro said the security situation in the largely Muslim
province has dramatically improved since the government mounted an offensive against the
Abu Sayyaf.
“Traders can
now walk and roam freely in (the capital town of) Jolo without any fear of being kidnapped
by guerrillas. Villagers are happy about the improved situation,” Casimiro said.
Police said
rebels, who usually stayed in Jolo town, have gone into hiding in the jungle.
“The rebels
are very afraid. They are now being hunted by the police and military and the traders are
happy with the way things are going on,” he said. “We have the support of the
people and we will hunt down the rebels to the last Abu Sayyaf member.”
Back to Sipadan/Pandanan Hostages News
Back
to This Week's Borneo News |
