Philippine military backtracks in statement on kidnapping blame

Friday, August 23, 2002

MANILA, Philippines -- At the height of the last Abu Sayyaf kidnapping spree, it seemed that just about every crime in the southern Philippines was being blamed on the al-Qaida-linked group. So no one was surprised when police and the military said the guerrillas were responsible for snatching six Jehovah's Witnesses who ventured into one of their stronghold areas.

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