Elite Army Unit Flown In to Help Rescue Hostages
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The Philippine military flew its U.S.-trained counter-terrorism unit to a southern island to help rescue four Jehovah’s Witnesses abducted last week by Muslim extremists.
The deployment of about 70 members of the Light Reaction Company is part of a larger military buildup on Jolo island aimed at wiping out the Abu Sayyaf group, notorious for beheadings and kidnappings.
Commander Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina said the unit, equipped with night-vision goggles, two-way radios and bulletproof vests not available to regular troops, will provide the “killer punch” against the kidnappers if local officials fail to negotiate the hostages’ release.
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