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Sunday, February 04, 2007
General, 19 others released after being held in Muslim rebel camp
MANILA (Updated 4:35 p.m.) -- A Philippine marine general and 19 others were released Sunday from a Muslim rebel camp where they had been held for two days by guerrillas demanding more benefits under a 1996 peace accord, officials said.
Two Air Force helicopters retrieved Major General Ben Dolorfino and his group near the Moro National Liberation Front's remote Bitan-ag stronghold on southern Jolo island's Panamao town where he said they have been "virtually held hostage" since Friday.
"We are happy that the crisis is over," Dolorfino said, smiling broadly before a throng of government officials and journalists after alighting from a helicopter in a Jolo army camp.
Rebel commander Habier Malik allowed Dolorfino and his group to leave his camp after being assured that a meeting would be hosted by the Organization of Islamic Conference in Saudi Arabia next month to discuss the full enforcement of the 1996 accord. (AP)
(February 4, 2007 issue)
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