Articles from the author

The government has said the United States should no longer worry about the hostage-taking Abu Sayyaf because it has been wiped out, and other leaders have expressed their desire to surrender and cooperate with the government, the military said.

The army and the police captured Indonesian national, Fathur Rohman Al Ghozi, also known as Abu Saad, in Metro Manila's Quiapo area last Tuesday, a belated report said.

Gunmen in the crime-ridden southern Philippines freed a South Korean businessman yesterday after holding him hostage for about 22 weeks, officials said. The ransom - 50 sacks of rice.

Gunmen, believed to be from the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, abducted four Indonesian crew members from a tugboat between the southern Philippine islands of Jolo and Basilan, strongholds of extremists notorious for kidnapping, officials said yesterday.

A mayoral candidate succumbed to a gunshot wound after he was shot at close range by suspected members of the communist new People's Army (NPA) in Camalig, Bicol region, southern Philippines, last Friday, in continuing election related violence.

The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) declared an indefinite ceasefire in the southern Philippines beginning tomorrow, an MILF spokesman said in a phone and radio interview.

Philippine political parties yesterday wound up activities on the last campaign day ahead of crucial elections, as security forces declared readiness amid fears of violence and fraud.

Negotiations between the government and the rebel Abu Sayyaf moved to the capital Manila, as the 72-hour deadline given by the separatist Abu Sayyaf guerrillas who have threatened to behead three Americans if the government failed to grant their demands, elapsed without event.

American hostage Guillermo Sobero was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in a macabre ceremony called 'ribbon-cutting', according to a source close to the hostage takers.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have given a safe conduct pass to Abu Sayyaf leaders Ghalib Andang and Mujib Susukan, and 16 other followers of the hostage-taking group in the southern Philippines, a spokesman said.

Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson has asked for another safe conduct pass for a Muslim intermediary who will facilitate the surrender of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, also known as Commander Robot.

Suspected rebels set bus afire in northern Luzon