VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2000 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon was the following telegram from the Holy Father to Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo of Cotabato, Philippines, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, for the murder of four hostages on the island of Basilan:
"Deeply concerned by the situation in the southern Philippines, I am greatly saddened by the news of the killing of various hostages, including a Catholic priest, Father Ruel Gallardo, on Basilan Island, and I am particularly close to all of you in these days. I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died and assure them of my prayers in this time of sadness and loss. My thoughts also turn to the injured and the remaining hostages, and I ask their captors to release them as soon as possible.
"I appeal to all involved in the conflict in the region to renounce the ways of violence which have caused so much suffering to the civilian population and to return to peaceful negotiation in order to achieve a just solution respectful of the rights of all. Commending the victims of this tragedy to our Heavenly Father's merciful love, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of comfort and strength to those in mourning."
TGR;MURDER HOSTAGES;...;PHILIPPINES; QUEVEDO;VIS;20000505;Word: 230;
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