Muslim terrorist take Philippine defense officials hostage

LA Times:

Disgruntled Muslim rebels who signed a peace agreement with Manila in 1996 have taken senior military and defense officials hostage on Jolo island, about 600 miles south of the capital, rebel sources said early today.

Among those being held by members of the Moro National Liberation Front are Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino of the Philippine marines, Defense Undersecretary Ramon Santos, several army colonels, and a number of soldiers and staff members of presidential peace advisor Jesus Dureza, rebel sources said.

They were being held at a jungle base in Bitan-ag village near Panamao town, a stronghold of the MNLF on Jolo. Sources said the government was trying to negotiate the release of the hostages, who reportedly are being held by hundreds of rebels led by Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun.

Dolorfino's group flew to Jolo on Friday morning for a meeting with MNLF leaders and were taken captive later in the day, sources said.

Southern Philippines military commander Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo denied the report, but Dureza confirmed that Dolorfino's group had flown to the island and was in Bitan-ag.

...
It appears that the Muslim terrorist were negotiating in bad faith which is no surprise. The only surprise is that the Philippine officials put themselves in the position to be taken hostage.

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