US Spy Planes Spot Abu Sayyaf Hostages in Southern Philippine Island

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 05, 2002

US Spy Planes Spot Abu Sayyaf Hostages in Southern Philippine Island

U.S. spy planes have caught digital images of the three remaining hostages of Abu Sayyaf terrorists on the southern Philippine island of Basilan.

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U.S. spy planes have caught digital images of the three remaining hostages of Abu Sayyaf terrorists on the southern Philippine island of Basilan.

Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu ordered Marines to scour islets off the main Basilan island after Navy gunboats clashed with gunmen who were fleeing on two high-speed pumpboats, the Philippine Star reported Friday.

Cimatu refused to reveal where the aerial digital photographs, showing American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap, were taken but assured the public the hostages are still in Basilan.

Cimatu said intelligence reports indicate that while the Abu Sayyaf rebels have divided themselves into smaller groups in a bid to slip out of Basilan, the terrorists are also squabbling among themselves over the ransom they hope to get for the Burnhams.

He said the spy plans brought by U.S. forces participating in the joint military exercises have been vital in the intelligence operations of the pursuing troops.

Some 660 American troops are helping and training the Filipino soldiers against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the joint exercises in Basilan and the neighbor city of Zamboanga.

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