March 21, 2000, PHNO, Abu Sayyaf Rebels Take 77 Hostages in Basilan,

Zamboanga City, March 21, 2000 - Extremist guerrillas belonging to the Abu Sayyaf group attacked an Army outpost early yesterday in Basilan and seized 77 people, including a priest and students from two schools, the military said.

About 60 rebels attacked the outpost in Tumahubong, Sumisip town, said Col. Hilario Atendido, civilian-military relations chief of the military's Southern Command.

50 of the students were later freed by the rebels, who were led by commanders Isnilon Hapilon and Khadafy Montaño Janjalani, brother of slain Abu Sayyaf chieftain Ustadz Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani.

The rebels entered a Catholic high school and seized the parish priest, Rev. Roel Gallardo, director of the Claret High School; school principal Reynaldo Rubio, six teachers and 39 students, the military said.

Other rebels seized seven elementary and four high school teachers from the Sinangkapan National High School in nearby Tuburan town, Atendido said. One of the teachers was later rescued by soldiers.

The rebels are using the students and teachers as "human shields" against pursuing soldiers, the military said.

They later released 20 students unharmed.

The rebels refused to negotiate with the police and the military, but asked for a doctor and wanted to talk with reporters, said Alan Cajucom, head of the local Red Cross chapter.

Cajucom said the rebels, who called from a cellular telephone, did not state any immediate demands.

The Abu Sayyaf was also suspected in the abduction last week of two elementary school teachers in a village in Zamboanga City. The teachers are still being held.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for numerous attacks against Christians, including foreign missionaries, in Mindanao.