Some 50 Muslim families have fled their homes in Lantawan town, southern Basilan province, fearing to be caught in the crossfire between the Abu Sayyaf and soldiers, Mayor Tahira Isamel said in a radio interview.

"They are afraid of the rebels and have fled their homes," said Ismael, adding that military operation against the group is still ongoing in Lantawan town, but did not give details. Meanwhile, Basilan Army commander Hermogenes Esperon praised hostage Jesus Faisal Benasing for his courage in escaping from his Abu Sayyaf captors on October 7.

"Benasing hid in the mountain for three days without food. To survive, he drank rain water from leaves in the forest," said Esperon, adding members of the Army's para-military group saw and rescued the hostage in the hinterlands of Lantawan on October 10.

"Benasing was so tense and was very scared when he was handed over to the Army in Lantawan last Wednesday," Ismael recalled. Ten of his companions, mostly Christians, were beheaded by guerrillas, the military said.

"The daring escape of Benasing from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf only prove one thing, the rebels are now confused. The pressure of the relentless military operation has greatly affected them," said Mindanao military chief Roy Cimatu in a meeting with Benasing in Basilan yesterday.

It is too early to conclude that the Abu Sayyaf leaders have given the military the slip, as suggested by some critics, said Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva. After a week of fierce clashes between the two camps in the boundary of Lantawan and Isabela in Basilan province, troops have not seen the hostage takers and their captive for the past days.

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu had to augment his troops to continue the operation against the Abu Sayyaf group. After a reportedly successful military operation, Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya went on air and threatened to poison Basilan's main water reserve, to retaliate for the ongoing government offensive.

The military said 21 rebels were killed and 31 wounded in their recent clash. But 18 soldiers were also wounded in the mortar attacks launched by the Abu Sayyaf in several villages in Isabela City.
Abu Sayyaf leaders Abu Sabaya and Khadaffy Janjalani are holding American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and 15 Filipino hostages in Basilan.