Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Abu Sayyaf Executes Two Men in Philippines

Aired June 23, 2001 - 13:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: In the Philippines, two more headless bodies have been found. Authorities say the Filipino men were kidnapped and decapitated by the Muslim rebel group, Abu Sayyaf. The same group holding three American hostages.

CNN's Kathy Quiano has more on today's gruesome discovery. We warn you may find some of the pictures disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHY QUIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Relatives face the grim task of identifying the two headless bodies. The two men's remains were found Saturday, dumped near the town of Isabella in Grafiland (ph). Both their hands were tied behind their backs. They were kidnapped with 13 others two weeks ago, at the coconut plantation of the Muslim extremist group, the Abu Sayyaf.

NORMA BAGUIO, VICTIM'S SISTER (through translator): Why did the Abu Sayyaf do this to my brother, why? Don't they have a conscience? Don't they have hearts? They keep praying to their Allah, but maybe the Abu Sayyaf has no heart.

QUIANO: A note was found written in one of the victim's shirts saying more people will be decapitated.

CANDU MAURIP, INTERMEDIARY: At first I think they just want to let the government feel that they are just there, one. Two, that they can strike any time, any place.

QUIANO: The Abu Sayyaf claims to be fighting for an independent Islamic state in the Philippines, but the government calls it a terrorist, kidnap-for-ransom gang. They still hold 24 hostages, including three Americans. On June 12, they claimed to have killed American tourist, Guillermo Sobero, but no evidence of his killing has been found.

The military condemns the executions and vowed to step up its offensive against the group. President Arroyo Macapagal's standing orders are to rescue all the remaining hostages alive and to destroy the Abu Sayyaf. Many here can only hope that will happen soon, before the Abu Sayyaf strikes again.

Kathy Quiano, CNN, Manila.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com