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American Morning

Kansas Town Rallies for Safe Return of Philippines Hostages

Aired June 15, 2001 - 11:03   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Little is known still about the whereabouts of the American hostages in the Philippines except that they are being held by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on a southern island. Authorities there have added more troops to hunt down the rebels. The group claims to have beheaded American hostage Guillermo Sobero earlier this week, but his body has not been found, and that has led authorities to express some hope that he may be alive.

Two other Americans are among 25 other hostages being held by the rebels. Reporter Sky Arnold (ph) of CNN's Kansas affiliate KWCH reports on how a Kansas town is rallying for the hostages' return.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SKY ARNOLD, KWCH REPORTER (voice-over): You'll find them in all kinds of places all over town. But it's perhaps where you won't find yellow ribbons that's the most telling.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As you can see, it's empty.

ARNOLD: From the place you buy food to the place you mail letters, boxes of yellow ribbons are empty. That's how much support this town has given to a family that's dealing with the worst kind of worry, one that involves their own children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For me it's an outward sign of an inward prayer that you're hoping that things will happen and that those people will be rational and allow them to come home safely.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. That report from Sky Arnold of CNN affiliate KWCH and we appreciate that effort.

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