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American Morning

Search Continues for Hostages Held in Philippines.

Aired June 26, 2001 - 11:24   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go to the phone now to get more on this story from our Maria Ressa. She is calling in from Manila.

Maria -- hello.

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

The more details about Sobero's captivity that are coming out from some of the freed hostages, one who refused to be identified said Sobero was captured, along with his girlfriend, who during their captivity administered injections to him. Sobero told his captors it was vitamin. Among the hostages, it was commonly believed they were insulin shots.

Normally, before they slept at night, Sobero's hands would be tied back-to-back with American missionary Martin Burnham.

But on the night of June 11, Sobero was separated from the group and hog-tied. Lawyer Francis Ganzon, one of the freed hostages, said Abu Sabaya, the spokesman of the Abu Sayyaf, told him the next day they had killed Sobero.

Another freed hostage said Abu Sayyaf said they killed Sobero because he was unfaithful to his wife, because he had more than one wife. Sobero's girlfriend remains among the hostages -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Chilling story on those details.

Maria, do we know anything more about the other American hostages that are being held by this group?

RESSA: At this point, no one has seen the other American hostages, although Abu Sabaya did go on local radio and threaten to kill Martin Burnham. However, no sighting has been made.

The Philippine government continues to maintain its standards; it will not pay ransom and demands the hostages be released unconditionally. They have an ongoing military campaign that involves more than 3,000 soldiers; in their words, they want to rescue the hostages and wipe out the guerrillas.

On Tuesday, the head of the armed forces said there was some progress. They captured an Abu Sayyaf intelligence officer...

KAGAN: Maria, thank you very much. We need to interrupt you there.

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