PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA ORDERS NATIONAL SECURITY MEETING AS MUSLIM REBELS TAKE MORE HOSTAGES

Record ID: 443018

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA ORDERS NATIONAL SECURITY MEETING AS MUSLIM REBELS TAKE MORE HOSTAGES
  • Date: 14th September 2000
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (SEPTEMBER 13, 2000)(REUTERS) 1. SLV EXTERIOR MALACANANG PRESIDENTIAL PALACE; SCU FLAG; MV JOURNALISTS WAITING (3 SHOTS) 0.15 2. SLV GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ENTERING PALACE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING (5 SHOTS) 1.00 3. (SOUNDBITE)(English) DEFENCE SECRETARY ORLANDO MERCADO: "As far as my position is concerned, I think we have been bending backwards for so long we are beginning to look like contortionists and people might think we don't have a spine." 1.21 4. MV MERCADO WALKING AND TALKING 1.35 5. (SOUNDBITE)(English) PRESS SECRETARY RICARDO PUNO: "All options are open, no options were closed but...we are still waiting for developments in the negotiations. There are still on going negotiations and will await developments in that area." 1.49 6. MV PUNO SURROUNDED BY JOURNALISTS 1.55 ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES (SEPTEMBER 13, 2000) (REUTERS) 7. SLV NAVY SHIP DOCKED AT THE ZAMBOANGA NAVAL STATION (3 SHOTS) 2.14 8. SLV ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER BEING LOADED; LV SHIPS MOORED (4 SHOTS) 2.43 9. SLV SOLDIERS IN FULL BATTLE GEAR BOARDING MILITARY TRUCKS; FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION BEING TAKEN INTO A GYMNASIUM (5 SHOTS) 3.35 10. SET UP SHOT AND (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARMY COLONEL ELISEO POSADAS: "Of course the armed forces is always ready, we are more vigilant, we have some precautionary measure undertaken. Of course we can tackle the Abu Sayyaf given the go signal." 3.59 11. SLV EXTERIOR HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN COMMAND PHILIPPINES MILITARY (3 SHOTS) 4.14 12. SCU ON AIR SIGN AT RADIO STATION 4.21 13. CU RADIO PRESENTER AND INTERIORS BROADCAST BOOTH WITH AUDIOS OF ABU SAYYAF SPOKESMAN ABU SABAYA AUDIO (SOUNDBITE) (Tagalog) ABU SAYYAF SPOKESMAN ABU SABAYA: "In the first place, we are ready to counter any military preparations, even the superpower we are ready to face their assault operation." (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ABU SAYYAF SPOKESMAN ABU SABAYA: "It seems that if they will not allow Mr. De Guzman, Mr. Morales to negotiate, or if they could not push the U.S. government to allow the Libyan government to participate in this negotiations and I told them I will not sit in the negotiations." (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ABU SAYYAF SPOKESMAN ABU SABAYA: "I'm afraid that if the negotiations fail I am afraid we have to execute Jeffrey Schilling." (3 SHOTS) 5.01 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 29th September 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA AND ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA9KD9VLSGBWFCSWBNTM19BIZNN
  • Story Text: The Philippines backed off from taking military action
    against Muslim rebels holding more than a dozen hostages
    despite more abductions this week and despite criticism that
    the country was being humiliated.

    President Joseph Estrada cut short a visit to the
    United States and ordered a national security meeting on the
    crisis following mounting criticism of the government's
    failure to put a stop to the hostage-taking.

    Earlier in the day, there were strong signals that the
    government was finally losing patience with the Abu Sayyaf
    rebels.

    As ministers arrived for the meeting, there were strong
    signals that the government was finally losing patience with
    the Abu Sayyaf rebels.

    Defense Minister Orlando Mercado arrived in the crisis
    meeting saying its high time to find a lasting solution the
    problem.

    "We have been bending backwards for so long we are
    beginning to look like contortionists and people might think
    we don't have a spine".

    But as the meeting ended minister's backed down on their
    earlier stances as Philippines security officials decided to
    hold off military action against Muslim rebel hostage takes in
    the south of the country and give more time for negotiations.

    Some officials said there might have been pressure from
    France to avoid a military assault on the guerrilla stronghold
    since two of its nationals were among the hostages.

    Chief government spokesman Ricardo Puno said the
    committee will present its recommendations to Estrada later in
    the day.

    "Cluster E (the cabinet committee on security) has
    decided to await developments in that particular area before
    any decision is made on the matter".

    But Puno said there was no pressure from France.

    But closer to the islands at the centre of the crisis,
    the military began to move in reinforcements to Zamboanga
    City, near Jolo island where the hostages are being held.

    Military commanders said they were ready at any time to
    launch an attack.

    "Of course the armed forces is always ready, we are more
    vigilant, we have some precautionary measure undertaken. Of
    course we can tackle the Abu Sayyaf given the go signal," said
    Army Colonel Eliseo Posadas, stationed in Zamboanga.

    Hostage takers, however, were defiant.

    On local radio, Muslim rebel leader Abu Sabaya,
    spokesman of the Abu Sayyaf faction holding American Jeffrey
    Schilling said they would kill their hostage if the military
    launched an attack.

    But should the government decide to talk for the
    hostages release, Sabaya said they wanted Libya to join in.


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