Philippine Guerrillas Behead 2 Hostages

PATIKUL, Philippines — Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels beheaded at least two of the six people they kidnapped this week in the southern Philippines, authorities said today. The heads of the two male hostages were found in an open-air market in Jolo town along with notes calling for a holy war, said Brig. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, commander of the army on the island of Jolo.

The men were abducted Tuesday with four women as the group visited homes around the town of Patikul. The group was reportedly selling Avon cosmetics, but officials also said the six were Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Officials initially reported that eight people were abducted, but two missing people--both Muslims--returned home Wednesday, saying they had spent the night with relatives. Police were investigating.

The abductions demonstrated that the Abu Sayyaf rebels remain dangerous despite a U.S.-backed military offensive aimed at wiping out the group. They came as a blow to the Philippine government, which had said just weeks ago that it was shifting some resources away from the war on Abu Sayyaf because the group had been decimated and was on the run.

Officials would not speculate as to why the hostages were targeted.

A police report said the six captives were Jehovah’s Witnesses, but said officers found no evidence they were trying to promote their religion in the predominantly Muslim area. The notes found with the remains, however, referred to “infidels,” police said.