Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Islamic rebels seize dozens of hostages in southern Philippines - Executions threatened
Associated Press | November 26, 2001 | BULLIT MARQUEZ

Posted on 11/26/2001 5:40:32 PM PST by HAL9000

Forces of renegade governor in southern Philippines threaten to kill hostages amid fighting with military

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Nov 26, 2001 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Bomber aircraft, rocket-firing helicopters and riflemen pounded a government complex of the Muslim regional government Tuesday and rebels holed up there said they would kill hostages unless the shooting stops.

Rebels loyal to renegade Muslim region Gov. Nur Misuari were using at least two men as human shields and said they had many more hostages and would kill them unless the military halts its attack six kilometers (four miles) from the center of Zamboanga, the region's main city.

Local radio reported the rebels may have dozens of hostages in the 60-hectare (150-acre) Cabatangan complex which houses some government offices of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said one civilian was killed and seven were injured in the cross fire.

The rebels are loyal to Misuari who was charged with rebellion and arrested over the weekend after his forces attacked an army base on a southern island.

Elections were held Monday to replace Misuari and the army told his backers to leave Cabatangan, about six kilometers (four miles) from the Zamboanga city center.

At least 60 heavily armed rebels remained in the complex, the military said.

Midmorning Tuesday, the rebels sent out one hostage, local newspaper editor Jose Mari Bue, to tell the military the rebels "want a safe passage. They want to exit and escape."

Bue, business editor of the Zamboanga Times, was taken hostage along with his family from their home near Cabatangan, reported the Radio Mindanao Network.

Other civilians called local radio stations to say that they were trapped by fighting in the Cabatangan complex and couldn't leave unless the shooting stops.

Maj. Reno Tolentino, of the Zamboanga military detachment, said the fighting started when the rebels attacked an army outpost near the complex.

Florita Orquito, a 43-year-old hostage who escaped amid the fighting, also told reporters the rebels moved quietly into neighborhoods near the complex and took hostages before the fighting began.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the military has now completely surrounded the rebels and hostages.

"This is a very simple operation as far as the military is concerned," he said.

Two men were tied together and forced to stand on a highway in a 200-meter-wide (600-foot-wide) no man's land between troops and rebels on one side of the complex. Four rebel gunmen in camouflage behind the two men taunted the soldiers, motioning for them to try to shoot.

Witnesses saw three airplanes swooping into steep dives and releasing 500-pound and 750-pound bombs into Cabatangan, shaking the ground around the several hectares (acres) of the complex.

Officials said about 5,000 people fled to evacuation centers.

Roadblocks were put up around the city of 750,000 people. The civilian airport was shut down and schools were told not to open.

Misuari was arrested Saturday in neighboring Malaysia as he tried to evade a manhunt by more than 6,000 soldiers on the southern Philippine island of Jolo.

His supporters attacked an army base last week to protest against the elections, breaking a 1996 peace deal with the Philippine government. More than 100 Misuari loyalists, seven civilians and four soldiers were killed in the fighting last week, the military said.

Copyright 2001 Associated Press, All rights reserved



TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: islamicviolence
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last
To: VA Advogado
If Drudge said that, then you can count on it being another country. That clown hasn't gotten a thing right since the blue dress.
21 posted on 11/26/2001 6:00:16 PM PST by GuillermoX
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Pissed Off Janitor
Wonder what whould happen if we threatened to start with Mecca and move on from there...

Nothing is sacred to them, except murder and blood. I don't think even that is going to stop them.

22 posted on 11/26/2001 6:01:11 PM PST by Cool Guy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: PokeyJoe
Don't forget. "For every hostage killed, one Mosque will be blown up"

Wrong. Better go in advising them that every bullet is greased with hog fat, and we'll bury their remains in pig guts. That way, there are no 72 virgins awaiting them in the hereafter.

23 posted on 11/26/2001 6:01:40 PM PST by Clint Williams
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: GuillermoX
Looks like he was right about O'Reilly.
24 posted on 11/26/2001 6:02:04 PM PST by Tribune7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Cool Guy
Get the hostages and then kill them all.
I'm just kidding, I saw your #15
Why do you want to kill the hostages? Are you some kind of sicko?
25 posted on 11/26/2001 6:03:21 PM PST by xm177e2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: xm177e2
Why do you want to kill the hostages? Are you some kind of sicko?

Just for kicks ;-)

26 posted on 11/26/2001 6:06:04 PM PST by Cool Guy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: AngrySpud
"Surrender, and we'll spare your lives ... fight on, or harm one hostage,
and we'll kill you all."


Actually the last phrase should read all of you will wish we had killed you
OK, I guess I'm just a mean guy....
27 posted on 11/26/2001 6:06:25 PM PST by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Djk
OUCH!!!!! lol :^)

28 posted on 11/26/2001 6:09:52 PM PST by Republic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Tribune7
O'Reilly wants to get into radio now because he sees an opening due to Rush's deafness?
29 posted on 11/26/2001 6:11:10 PM PST by GuillermoX
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

We shall return.

30 posted on 11/26/2001 6:13:41 PM PST by Big_Time_Clymer's_Anonymous
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

To: AngrySpud
surrender and we will spare your lives...fight on or harm one hostage and we will kill you"

i think that in a play script the following would be more appropriate:

"surrender and we will spare your lives" [muffled background lauging] "fight on or harm one hostage and we will kill you" [more muffled background laughing]

32 posted on 11/26/2001 6:26:27 PM PST by mlocher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
Islam is a peaceful and loving religion.
33 posted on 11/26/2001 6:32:32 PM PST by ambrose
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PokeyJoe
Let's roll
34 posted on 11/26/2001 6:36:25 PM PST by ErnBatavia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: GuillermoX
O'Reilly wants to get into radio now because he sees an opening due to Rush's deafness?

He denies that and denies having discussed seeking a noon-2 p.m. talk radio show. But, in last night's interview he claimed his agent may have been dicussing things about which he was unaware. It sounded pretty Clintonesque.

Drudge did a very good job in interviewing O'Reilly and had him backpeddling pretty strong. I was left with the impression that most of what Drudge had reported about O'Reilly was true.

I still like O'Reilly and think the going after Rush part is being overblown.

35 posted on 11/26/2001 6:38:56 PM PST by Tribune7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
I hear a giant sucking sound.
36 posted on 11/26/2001 7:19:53 PM PST by dr_who
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: HAL9000
this story can't be true ... it's a religion of peace ... Oprah said so ... [/sarcasm]



http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/graphics/jihad_joe.jpg
38 posted on 11/26/2001 7:24:49 PM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: piasa; xm177e2; Sabertooth; Squantos; harpseal; dennisw; FITZ; Manny Festo; Lent; patent; rebdov...
What is it about "brave" moslem terrorists always hiding behind civilian men women and children when the going gets hot for them?
39 posted on 11/26/2001 8:35:53 PM PST by Travis McGee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
History repeats itself! - Once again, it's time for the Filipinos and their American friends to rid the Philippines of all the Moro pirates (Muslim terrorists) and their sympathizers.

40 posted on 11/26/2001 8:38:11 PM PST by Hail Caesar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson