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Eighteen Abu Sayyaf Rebels Arrested: Official
At least 18 Abu Sayyaf members have been arrested as military operations against the bases of the rebel group in the southern island of Jolo, Sulu Province, entered its second day Sunday, a cabinet minister said.
Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, citing reports reaching his office, said navy operatives arrested at least 18 Abu Sayyaf members who tried to escape from the ongoing military operations in Jolo and confiscated some firearms.
President Joseph Estrada ordered a pre-dawn military attack Saturday against the Abu Sayyaf rebels in Jolo to rescue 19 hostages, including six foreigners.
Mercado said the military operations in Jolo are confined to specific areas where the rebels are believed to be keeping the hostages -- one American, two French journalists, three Malaysians and 13 Filipinos.
He said that at least four government soldiers were wounded in the fighting.
Meanwhile, Jolo town Mayor Rashdi Abubakar said Sunday that four civilians wounded in the cross-fire were sent to the hospital in Jolo, according to the ABS-CBN TV station.
Unconfirmed reports said some 200 civilians were injured in the fighting in Jolo.
On earlier reports that some of the hostages had been executed by Abu Sayyaf rebels, including American Jeffrey Schilling, Mercado said they believe that those hostages are still alive.
"We believe the Abu Sayyaf is trying to flee with the hostages," he said.
President Estrada flew to Zamboanga city, near Jolo, Sunday afternoon to assess the situation in Jolo.
Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, reportedly called for a cease-fire Saturday after the military assault began, but there is no confirmation of the report by the military, which imposed a news blackout following the start of the attack.
Under the cover of warplanes and helicopter gunships, government troops continued their attack on Abu Sayyaf camps on Sunday. The Jolo town mayor said he could still hear the sound of bombing of rebel camps. But he said the situation in Jolo town is stable and there is no influx of civilians into the town from other areas of the island.
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