Rebels of the Abu Sayyaf movement
in the Philippines claim they have beheaded one of three American
hostages kidnapped in May. The hostage was reportedly executed
because the Philippine government refused to call off its "all-out
war" against the Abu Sayyaf movement, which is fighting for an
independent Islamic state in the south. The rebels are now
threatening to behead the two remaining American
hostages.
Celebrations in the Philippines to mark the 103rd anniversary of independence from Spanish colonial rule were marred by the news that rebels of the Abu Sayyaf movement had executed one of the hostages they are holding on the southern island of Basilan.
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The rebels claimed in a radio broadcast that they had beheaded 40-year-old Californian tourist Guillermo Sobrero, one of three Americans held captive. They were seized from a beach resort on the western island of Palawan last month along with 17 Filipinos and brought by boat to the island of Basilan. Nine of the hostages managed to escape, but the gunmen killed at least two of their Filipino captives, with one of them found decapitated.
Ruthless
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo says the
execution proves once again that Abu Sayyaf is a group of ruthless
bandits that has no qualms at murdering for the sake of ransom
money. She declared that the government will continue its war on
the reb
els. But as
the Philippine president pledged to destroy the Abu Sayyaf, the
self-proclaimed Islamic independence fighters renewed threats to
kill their other US hostages, Christian missionaries Martin and
Gracia Burnham.
The execution of the US tourist has provoked an international outcry. The United States and the Vatican called for the unconditional release of all the hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf. Washington has sent several agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the Philippines to provide technical assistance.
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On Monday, it seemed a peaceful solution was in sight after the government gave in to the kidnappers' demand to appoint two Malaysian mediators. Last year, Malaysian officials helped mediate the release of dozens of foreigners and locals including several Malaysians abducted by the rebels. Huge ransoms were reportedly paid. The rebels are now saying they will not participate in further negotiations.
The latest Abu Sayyaf kidnapping crisis comes
soon after a bloody election campaign in which more than 70 people
were killed. It again highlights the violence and lawlessness that
has plagued southern parts of the country despite the deployment of
the Philippines marines and special army and police anti-terrorist
forces.
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