Umm - ok. Are these turkeys with really good night vision or what??
Posted on 05/22/2002 6:43:04 PM PDT by repubmom
ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES (ANS) -- About 600 US green berets and 60 soldiers of the Light Reaction Company finished an extensive training and are set to lead in the rescue operation of American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham under the captivity of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The ASG is a Moslem fundamentalist terrorist group operating in the Southern Philippines which the FBI confirmed has strong links with the Al Qa'ida network in Afghanistan.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu told reporters that the joint mission has prepared three bullets "two of which will be fired at the ASG rebels holding the Burnham couple and the third bullet will be for Abu Sabaya," the self styled ASG spokesperson who warned over a radio station in Zamboanga City that the Burhnam couple will be beheaded soon because of the failed negotiation of the government.
Mindanews service reported that each soldier of the LRC was given by the US P1 million worth of equipment ranging from M4 Cabine rifles, bulletproof vest and night vision gobbles
The Burnham couple could nowhere to be found since February despite US spy planes and sophisticated gadgets of the US military. The Burnhams will mark their first captivity on Monday May 27.
In January this year, 21-year-old Sheila Tabunyag, who was with the Burnham couple for several months under the ASG captive, told ASSIST News Service that the Burnhams are being pressured to embrace the Islam faith. Almost all of the Christian hostages of the ASG converted to Islam before they were freed unharmed including Tabunyag.
Col. Alexander Aleo, chief of the Army 103rd Brigade said that due to the military pressure in Basilan the Abu Sayyaf strength reduce from 1,000 to only about 40 men who are now holding the hostages including Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap.
Aleo said that the ASG enjoys the support of local villagers which make the military difficult to rescue the remaining hostages.
The Burnham couple was kidnapped along with 17 other holiday- makers at Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Puerto Princesa in May 27 last year including another American national Guillermo Sobero. Tabunyag said that Sobero was beheaded because his lifestyle was non-Islamic.
The business sector and the bankers association in Zamboanga City wanted the extension of US presence in Zamboanga. The US troops are expected to leave on July 15 this year as stipulated in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Noel Tarrazona, 26 and based in Zamboanga City Philippines, completed his bachelor's degree in Journalism at Ateneo University and his master's studies at Western Mindanao State University. Noel is also a freelance reporter in the Southern Philippines. He can be reached at pearltar@mailcity.com
** You may use this story with proper attribution. **To be added or deleted from this list, please send an e-mail message to Dan Wooding at assistcomm@cs.com.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by D.Co, makers of the DigiCaster Television Broadcast Automation System. Further information: call (949) 367-1700 or e-mail: sales@d-co.com. D.Co website address: www.d-co.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service is also brought to you in part by Open Doors USA, a ministry that has served the Suffering Church around the world for nearly 50 years. You can get more information by logging onto their website at www.opendoorsusa.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Umm - ok. Are these turkeys with really good night vision or what??
If we were doing this properly we wouldn't want "surprise". We would want them to know we were coming to hunt them down and kill every last one of them. Unfortunately we will probably take lawyers for them and offer rest and recreation facilities while they continue their maniacal rants and the lawyers run up the bill.
I dislike reporters sometimes.
a.cricket
No, boys and girls, there is FAR more going on here than this pathetic article implies.
Believe it.
I can put it a little less diplomatically than that.
I hate the media!!! I loathe, despise, and detest them ..... they are disgusting, deplorable, and despicable!
There are a few exceptions but not many.
Did you overlook the 'third bullet'? Doesn't that have a larger meaning that would require more forces?
"Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu told reporters that the joint mission has prepared three bullets "two of which will be fired at the ASG rebels holding the Burnham couple and the third bullet will be for Abu Sabaya,"
:o) cute
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.