November 11, 1995, Seattle Times News Services, Gunmen Rob 300 People, Take 2 Hostages in Philippines,

November 11, 1995, Seattle Times News Services, Gunmen Rob 300 People, Take 2 Hostages in Philippines,

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines - A gang of bandits posing as soldiers robbed more than 300 people after stopping four buses and three trucks in the southern Philippines, then fled with two hostages, authorities said today.

The mass holdup happened yesterday afternoon about 30 miles northeast of Zamboanga. The region is about 850 miles south of Manila on Mindanao island, where the government is fighting Muslim rebels.

Police wouldn't say who was responsible, but suggested it could be the extremist Abu Sayyaf rebel group or a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front.