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MANILA, DECEMBER 8: The Philippine military flew a captured leader of the Islamic Abu Sayyaf militants to Manila on Monday, giving President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a badly needed boost in a pre-election drive to appear tough on crime. Ghalib Andang, widely known as Commander Robot, burst into prominence in 2000, when he abducted 21 tourists and workers from the Sipadan dive resort in Malaysia. They held the hostages, who included French, German, Finnish and South African nationals, for months on the island of Jolo, before freeing them for millions of dollars in ransom. He was wounded in a firefight...

A TOP Abu Sayyaf rebel leader implicated in the kidnapping of dozens of mostly European hostages in April 2000 was captured in an operation in the southern Philippines today, the military chief said. Galib Andang, popularly known as Commander Robot, was held after a gunfight on the island of Jolo, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Narciso Abaya said. "This is one big step in our international fight against terrorism," Abaya said, without giving details. Andang, who was wounded in the gunbattle, was part of a band of Abu Sayyaf members who raided Malaysian resorts in Sipadan island in...

MANILA: The Abu Sayyaf's longest-held hostage had escaped from the extremist group following a gunbattle between Philippine marines and his captors, a military spokesman said on Friday. Roland Ulah escaped on Wednesday after more than three years in captivity in the confusion of the clash outside Patikul town on southern Jolo island, Lt Col Daniel Lucero said. One marine and an undetermined number of guerrillas were killed and 11 other soldiers were injured, he added. Lucero said that Ulah hid in a ravine and was found by local villagers the following day when he asked for directions to get to...

PHILIPPINE soldiers have recovered headless remains believed to be those of an Indonesian sailor and a Filipino trader who were taken hostage and reportedly killed by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on southern Jolo island, officials said today. The remains were found buried in a shallow grave in the jungle village of Panglayahan in Patikul town, 940 kilometres south of Manila. Another Indonesian hostage who managed to escape from his captors last week helped the military find the remains. Indonesian Pieter Lerrich told reporters after his escape that he understood that his colleague Munto Jacobus Winowatan had been killed by the guerrillas....

MANILA: Fierce clashes between Philippine marine troops and Abu Sayyaf rebels Saturday left at least seven soldiers dead and 25 others wounded on the southern island of Jolo, military officials said. Government bombers and attack helicopters took turns blasting suspected positions of an Abu Sayyaf faction believed to be holding four female Jehovah's Witnesses, the officials added. The women were snatched Aug. 20 while selling Avon cosmetics in a remote village on the troubled island. There were no reports on the women's fate. Three Indonesian tugboat crewmen are also being held by the Abu Sayyaf. Other marines deployed elsewhere on...

Wednesday, August 28, 2002   AFP ready to punch on Jolo kidnap group By Johnna Villaviray “Contact is imminent” between the military and the abductors of four female Jehovah Witnesses preachers in Jolo, Armed Forces chief Gen. Roy Cimatu said on the eve of a government deadline for release negotiations. Cimatu said he expects the 103rd Brigade in Sulu to clash with an estimated 150 guerrillas led by Mujin Sahiron. While military officials earlier said Sahiron’s group was not part of the Abu Sayyaf, they are now acknowledging reports that the “bandits” have linked up with the extremist group....

Philippines set to deliver 'killer punch' to kidnappersElite troops are on Abu Sayyaf's southern island-stronghold poised to attack if the 4 surviving hostages not freed in 5 daysBy Luz Baguioro PHILIPPINES CORRESPONDENT MANILA - The Philippines sent in elite counter-terrorism troops to the Abu Sayyaf's southern island-stronghold as the military prepared to deliver a 'killer punch' if four hostages seized by an allied group were not freed within five days.The Army Light Reaction Company, equipped with high-powered weapons provided by the United States under a military assistance package, was part of a contingent of more than 1,000 troops sent to...