Philippine Military Launches Assault on Jolo Rebels
J O L O, Philippines, Sept. 16 -- Philippine bomber planes pounded Muslim rebel bases on the island of Jolo at dawn today, marking the start of a long-anticipated assault on the guerrillas holding 19 hostages, including six foreigners.
Residents in the main town could see the planes flying byoverhead and hear the sound of the bombing on rebel-held areas,some 12 miles in the interior jungles.
Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado did not provide any details besides a vague promise that Philippine President Joseph Estrada would probably make anannouncement “maybe in two hours.”
A government official who was involved in negotiations tofree the hostages, including the possible release todayof two French television journalists held by the Abu Sayyafrebels for over two months, said the talks had been called off.
“No more, the war has begun,” the official said.
Besides the two Frenchmen, the Abu Sayyaf are holding threeMalaysians, 13 Filipinos and an American.
The American, Jeffrey Schilling, a 24-year-old Muslim American from Oakland, Calif., was seized on Aug. 28 after he voluntarily went to the guerrillas’ lair in Jolo.
The rebels claim they are fighting for an independent Islamic state in the impoverished southern Philippines. (See related story)
Assault Has Popular Support
Support for an assault has grown since last Sunday, when an AbuSayyaf faction abducted three more people from a Malaysian diving resort despite their earlier pledge not to seize more hostageswhile negotiations are under way.
As thousands of troops and elite police arrived on ships to jointhe rescue attempt, people stood in the streets of Jolo’s capitalwatching the attack in the distance.
On Thursday, a rebel spokesman threatened they would attacksouthern Philippine cities if there is a military assault.
The status of the hostages was not immediately clear.
Abu Sayyaf rebels had tentatively agreed to release two French television journalists today.
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