Abu Sayyaf chief fled fighting: RP

Abu Sayyaf chief fled fighting: RP

PHILIPPINES: The leader of a Philippine Moro guerrilla group
holding American and Filipino hostages has fled fighting on the
southern island of Basilan, the military said on Wednesday.

Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani had fled from Basilan
about a week to 10 days ago, leaving the hostages with a core
group of about 70 gunmen, Col. Francisco Gudani told reporters.
He had no details on where Janjalani had gone.

The military says it has killed at least 40 Abu Sayyaf gunmen
since launching a fresh offensive against them about 10 days ago.

The Abu Sayyaf, which is linked to the Al-Qaeda organization
of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, is holding eight
Filipinos and an American missionary couple hostage on Basilan,
which is 900 km south of Manila. --Reuters