Muslim Separatists Kidnap 40 Villagers in Philippines

About 1,000 Muslim separatists burst into a remote village in the southern Philippines early Saturday, demanded food and took at least 40 villagers hostage as they escaped from pursuing government troops, radio reports and officials said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas arrived before dawn in two groups at Pamantingan village in Esperanza town, local radio station DXMS said. They woke the community in Sultan Kudarat province with gunfire and ordered all residents out of their homes, it said.

The rebels then went from house to house and seized food, mostly rice, the radio station said. No one was harmed, the report said.

Some of the villagers were able to escape and reported the attack to authorities.

The rebels took at least 40 people hostage, including women and children, as they escaped to a nearby mountain, provincial Gov. Pax Mangudadatu said.

Pursuing troops, backed by three armored vehicles, clashed with the rebels seven hours later, and at least two helicopter gunships fired at the retreating guerrillas, said army Capt. Noel Detoyato, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division.

In similar attacks in the past, the rebels released their hostages unharmed under cover of darkness after completing their escape.

The MILF is fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

Meanwhile, a smaller Muslim rebel group that has been holding 21 people hostage for three weeks in a remote Philippine jungle declined to release two ailing Europeans on Saturday but offered more flexibility in negotiations, officials said.

Government negotiators had announced earlier Saturday that they had reached an “understanding” with the Abu Sayyaf rebels that an ailing German woman and perhaps a French man would be freed later in the day.

But when the negotiators met with the group, the rebels instead discussed procedural arrangements for formal negotiations, which have yet to begin.

After both sides agree on arrangements, which may take several days, the first topic of the talks will be the release of the ailing hostages, a negotiator said in Jolo.