Troops Rescue 13 Captives From Muslim Rebels in Philippines

Philippine soldiers rescued 13 hostages early today after a clash with Muslim rebels who have beheaded 10 other captives in the past few days, officials said.

The 13 were among a group of 36 people seized Thursday in a raid by the Abu Sayyaf rebels on Balobo, a village on the southern island of Basilan. The Abu Sayyaf is also holding a separate group of about 20 hostages, including at least two Americans, on another part of Basilan, about 560 miles south of the capital, Manila.

Of the group seized Thursday, 10 were found beheaded, said Maj. Alberto Gepilano, an army spokesman. Most, or all, of those kidnapped and beheaded were Christians.

Gepilano said the rescued hostages were abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf early today when the army stormed a temporary guerrilla camp in Basilan’s mountainous Kapayawan region. He said there were no immediate reports of casualties in the fighting.

Social workers said dozens of families, mostly victims’ relatives, have fled their homes in Balobo for fear of more attacks.

Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim, the army’s deputy chief of staff, said 11 hostages were freed Friday morning to relay the Abu Sayyaf’s demand that the military end its campaign to eradicate the group. It remained unclear today whether any of the original 36 were still being held; at least 34 had been accounted for.