The World - News from Aug. 17, 1988

Philippine soldiers rescued an American and his Filipino wife after shelling the hide-out of the Muslim kidnapers who seized them 17 days ago, officials said. David B. Stiffler, 42, of New York City, and his wife, Elpidia Benuya, were turned over to military officials on the shore of Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur province, 500 miles south of Manila. “The kidnapers were afraid of the artillery,” Stiffler said after his release. “They left when the cannons were fired.” Stiffler, an anthropology student doing research on ethnic music, and his wife were seized July 30. Their abductors, described as former Muslim separatist rebels who have turned to kidnaping and robbery, had demanded a $5,000 ransom, but none was paid, officials said.