Philippine Rebels Wage Retaliatory Attack

(CBS/AP)  About 70 suspected al Qaeda-linked militants stormed a village in Basilan province in Southern Philippines, killing at least 11 people, including a one-year-old baby, reporting CBS News' Barnaby Lo from Manila.

Police suspect the attack was launched by a joint group of Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front members, allegedly led by sub-leader Puruji Indama.

Indama has been blamed for the kidnapping of two Chinese and a Filipino worker from a plywood factory.

The two Chinese captives - Zi Shun Lu, a.k.a. Oscar Lu, 51; and Bo Shung Tan, a.k.a. Michael Tan, 27 - were rescued by government forces hours before the attack. [The Filipino hostage, Mark Singson, was beheaded after his employer, Hi-Tech Wood Craft Corporation, failed to pay ransom.]

Authorities said they could not ascertain if the attack had anything to do with the recent deaths of several Abu Sayyaf members, including Albader Parad, the man behind the kidnapping of International Red Cross volunteers.

His death could set back the militants' plans to disrupt elections in the south.

An Abu Sayyaf member involved in the kidnapping of several Europeans and one American in Malaysia back in 2000 was also arrested a few days ago.

The military has been expecting the small but violent Abu Sayyaf group, known for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings, to launch retaliatory attacks for Parad's death.

An army spokeswoman said villagers in Tubigan were asleep when the rebels came and started spraying houses with automatic gunfire, setting them on fire.

"Each rebel brought a gallon of gasoline, then they started torching the houses," said one member of a civilian militia force.

Hundreds of people have been displaced

The army said nearly 20 others were wounded, including four children who suffered third-degree burns. Those in critical conditions were taken to hospitals in Zamboanga City on the mainland.

[armyoftwelve]

The soner the moro's are crushed the better..if they want an islamsick state, let them move to iran.

[wdh3007]

How many so called christian fundamentalists do know of that carry out terror attacks moron what a whack job you are for even suggesting such a thing.

[hateisafourletterword]

You have to love the peace loving muslims in the world. So much love and tolerance for your fellow human beings.

I know how pained Obama will be to explain how we just do not understand the issue they have with us westerners and that we should apologize for our actions that caused them to do this in the first place.

[ToolMangler1]

hateisafourletterword, So, your first name is a four letter word???
It's obvious that you hate Obama. I feel that if Jesus himself were to tell you that Obama is Christian, that you wouldn't believe him either.
You have already called Obama a liar for saying that he is Christian. That means that you are unwilling to cede any worth to a Black Man as President..

[tuathadedannan]

Gotta love these Christian fundamentalists

[ToolMangler1]

The big thing here is that it is 'NOT' the Christian fundamentalists that are blowing up Schools, Mosques, Busses, Trains, Hospitals, Shopping centers and World Trade Centers. Muslims are doing this all over the world, everyday. Maybe all Muslims aren't terrorists, but they support them with their silence.. I will not support any Christian doing the same thing and I am Christian.

[virgo47]

ummm George Bush? Add bridges, power stations, dams and wedding parties.

[I_am_me1953]

Ah, the peaceful "religion" of isalmi as preached by their gay profit mudhami.

Retaliate against unarmed women, children, the elderly because the Filipino army rescued their hostages. And then hide behind thewir women and complain when they are killed by another army.

Such brave sould, they really deserve their 72 virgins.