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