Hijackers delaved in Bangkok

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34126, 12 April 1976, Page 18

Hijackers delaved in Bangkok

X. Z.P.A -Rente r—Copy right) BANGKOK, April 11.

A Philippine Airlines plane carrying three armed hijackers and 12 airline staff as hostages is scheduled to leave here shortly for Calcutta. its captain, Arnulfo Santos, said. He entered the aircraft shortly threafter and it appeared that the jet was about to take off, but it did not budge from its position about 800 metres from the main teminal building.

The B.A.C. 1-11. hijacked in the southern Philippines and flown to Manila last Wednesday by men identifying themselves as Moslem separatists, had been delayed at Bangkok by technical problems and by the refusal lof overflight or landing ! rights by other countries.

Airlines officials said the jet should have enough fuel for the three-hour flight but not much to spare. One Dutch Royal Airlines official called such a flight “dicey.” They said Calcutta would let the jet land. There was no immediate explanation why the take-off was being delayed but highranking Thai officials indicated the Philippine Government wanted to delav the departure.

Various airport officials and diplomats involved in negotiations with the hijackers gave seemingly contradictory versions of what was happening. The hijackers say they are members of the Moro National Liberation Front.

But all said Libya — where the trio insist on being taken had given assurances it would grant them a haven. Several Thai officials said they wanted the hijackers out of Thai territory as soon as possible.