Philippine officers may face trial

The military had surrounded the rebels

A senator in the Philippines says several military officers could be court-martialled after a congressional inquiry heard evidence of their alleged collusion with Abu Sayyaf rebels.

I'm afraid we might even go for a court martial

Senator Ramon Magsaysay

The senator, Ramon Magsaysay, said witnesses had corroborated earlier allegations that the soldiers were bribed into allowing rebel hostage-takers to escape a military cordon.

But the army officer in charge of the operation, Brigadier General Romeo Dominguez, has denied the allegations.

The inquiry, which is continuing, is examining how the rebels escaped after being cornered inside a hospital and church compound on the southern island of Basilan in June.

Priest's account

Mr Magsaysay, who chairs the Senate defence committee, said he had found "strong evidence there might be some collusion between some military officers and those involved in the kidnapping and possible ransoming [of hostages]".

The Abu Sayyaf are still holding several hostages

"I'm afraid we might even go for a court martial," he said in a television interview.

The inquiry was prompted by allegations made by a Roman Catholic priest who narrowly escaped being kidnapped by the rebels. Father Cirilo Nacorda told the inquiry last month that officers received a payoff to let the rebels go, and said a guerrilla leader negotiated with the officers using a mobile phone.

On Thursday another witness, a nurse, said she had seen Brigadier General Romeo Dominguez and several aides arrive at the scene with a briefcase filled with cash. When she saw him again, hours later, the general was no longer carrying the briefcase.

But Brigadier General Dominguez said the money was handed to a doctor for the care of wounded soldiers.

"I could easily refute [the witness accounts]," he said on Friday.

Hostages

Last month Abu Sayyaf leader and spokesman Abu Sabaya phoned a local radio station and said he had paid the soldiers.

The army has made little progress in its hunt for the rebels

The Abu Sayyaf say they are fighting for independence for the Muslim minority in the south of the mainly Christian Philippines, but the government says they are nothing but criminals.

Among the 20 hostages still being held by the group are American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. The rebels say they have beheaded a third American, Guillermo Sobero, but his body has not been found.

About 5,000 soldiers have been trying to catch the kidnappers without success.

The inquiry is being held in Lamitan town where the June incident took place.