ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights investigating team returned from Sulu empty handed and the 7 “freed alleged Abu Sayyaf conspirators” have not filed any formal complaint before the commission.
“They have not filed any complaint,” before the Commission on Human Rights, said Reymundo Ituralde, Chief, Investigation Division.
Ituralde’s group was expecting for the legal counsel of the 7 alleged conspirators to file a complaint before their office after their release.
“We can not do anything unless they will file,” a complaint before the commission said Ituralde.
The team also received information, aside from the 7 individuals accused of conspiring with the Abu Sayyaf, there were 36 others who were allegedly invited by police for questioning.
The group however was not able to meet any of the 36 “invitees” during their investigation in Jolo over the weekend.
“We were looking for them, wala talaga,” Ituralde claimed.
The seven were part of the individuals invited and arrested in the crackdown following the declaration of state of emergency in the province.
Ituralde claimed, they also tried looking for the 36 individuals who were allegedly invited by police. The number of invited individuals came from the legal counsel of the network of civic groups in Sulu.
They are interested to know the manner of invitation done to the “suspects” through an interview.
Ituralde said, they expected to “reduce the statement to affidavits,” if they were able to at least interview one of those invited by the police.
For human rights lawyers, invitation is legal if “not tainted by coercion” from the part of the police. Their interest lies in the manner how the “arrest” of the accused.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bunot, INDANAN, SULU, Philippines – The Civilian Emergency Force have been in the bushes here for weeks staying in make shift tents, abandoned houses and farm huts making sure the Abu Sayyaf will not be able to cross the “constricted area”.
Hassan Abdulajid, 35, resident of Bilaan, Talipao is with a team of the Philippine National Police who were assigned here to take part in the “blocking force” of other joint CEF-AFP forward elements in the hinterlands of Indanan.
They ate the provisions of the Police supplied by the municipality of Indanan and Provincial government.
Abdulajid claimed, he is more concerned if the Abu Sayyaf can break the “cordon” which the government has set. In Tausug, he said “the area is so porous, where at times the Abu Sayyaf can sneak out”.
Their base camp is the burned municipal hall of Indanan.
Abdulajid is part of the 150 CEF from Talipao now assigned in the periphery of Indanan together with the CEF of the barangays in the hi-way of Indanan.
Kasim Sajili, 28, resident of Pasil, Indanan is also stationed next to barangay Poblacion, Indanan. With Sajili are around 30 CEFs from Pasil and Barangay Bunot.
Both Sajili and Abdulajid are eager to see a resolution to the crisis soon. However, Sajili hoped lives will not be wasted in the resolution of the conflict. He is also ready to defend his community “kahit na makapatay ako ng tao.”
The CEF were recently visited by Police Regional Director P/Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani.
Jabarani reiterated the need of their cooperation considering the crisis has put the country to shame. “Sa Sulu lang may nangyari pagkidnap ng tauhan ng ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)”, (Only in Sulu where personnel of ICRC was kidnapped) Jabarani quoted saying in Tausug to CEF here.
“We appreciate your sacrifices,” Jabarani told the CEF under Indanan Mayor Hussin I. Ahajan.
The pressure to the Philippine government is high as it “involves ICRC and foreign nationals,” Jabarani explained to CEF here.
Abu Sayyaf now internet savy
JOLO, SULU, Philippines – The Abu Sayyaf has shifted its tactics from mere frontal media propaganda to internet-based media release, a military intelligence operative here observed.
“Gumagamit na sila ng MP4 video at dinadaan sa internet,” (The Abu Sayyaf are using Mp4 videos and use internet) in disseminating their propaganda, the source who requested anonymity due to sensitivity of information said.
The source claimed, the video that circulated in the Philippine media where the three ICRC volunteers – Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, was filmed using an MP4 device was disseminated using as “an email attachment” sent to media personalities.
The 3rd Marine Brigade confirmed, the Abu Sayyaf together with at least 4 Jemaah Islamiya (JI) “advisers” is closing in to where there are cellular phone signal.
The Task Force ICRC in Sulu has shut off cellular communication sites in the general area of Indanan and Parang, all in Sulu island.
“There are areas there where you can get signal,” despite shutting off the cellular sites in Indanan and Parang, said 3rd Marine Brigade Commander Col. Eugene Clemen.
Clemen brushed off the information regarding the Abu Sayyaf’s shift of propaganda medium. However, he said, there are JI operatives who are with the Abu Sayyaf that are more advanced than the home grown terrorists.
Of the four JI operatives, the military informants has identified, two are identified by their guerilla “first names”.
These JIs are involved in bomb making, strategy and tactics, communications and at times in some decision makings. “They are teachers and advisers,” of the Abu Sayyaf, Clemen said.
The Marine brigade however, declined to give the names of other JI operatives except that of the Singaporean Indian looking Muawiya.
Sources also claimed, Muawiya’s right hand, a young energetic teacher was seen in the last video of the Abu Sayyaf where the group presented the three hostages.
“Yung nasa kanang bahagi ng screen, na kalbo at binansag na si Parad ng media ay JI hindi si Parad,” (The one at the right side of the screen, the bald person whom the media said was Parad was a JI and not Parad) the source said.
The source declined to make public the name of the said JI, but said he was the one “bringing a laptop” in the group.
“Gumagamit na sila ng MP4 video at dinadaan sa internet,” (The Abu Sayyaf are using Mp4 videos and use internet) in disseminating their propaganda, the source who requested anonymity due to sensitivity of information said.
The source claimed, the video that circulated in the Philippine media where the three ICRC volunteers – Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, was filmed using an MP4 device was disseminated using as “an email attachment” sent to media personalities.
The 3rd Marine Brigade confirmed, the Abu Sayyaf together with at least 4 Jemaah Islamiya (JI) “advisers” is closing in to where there are cellular phone signal.
The Task Force ICRC in Sulu has shut off cellular communication sites in the general area of Indanan and Parang, all in Sulu island.
“There are areas there where you can get signal,” despite shutting off the cellular sites in Indanan and Parang, said 3rd Marine Brigade Commander Col. Eugene Clemen.
Clemen brushed off the information regarding the Abu Sayyaf’s shift of propaganda medium. However, he said, there are JI operatives who are with the Abu Sayyaf that are more advanced than the home grown terrorists.
Of the four JI operatives, the military informants has identified, two are identified by their guerilla “first names”.
These JIs are involved in bomb making, strategy and tactics, communications and at times in some decision makings. “They are teachers and advisers,” of the Abu Sayyaf, Clemen said.
The Marine brigade however, declined to give the names of other JI operatives except that of the Singaporean Indian looking Muawiya.
Sources also claimed, Muawiya’s right hand, a young energetic teacher was seen in the last video of the Abu Sayyaf where the group presented the three hostages.
“Yung nasa kanang bahagi ng screen, na kalbo at binansag na si Parad ng media ay JI hindi si Parad,” (The one at the right side of the screen, the bald person whom the media said was Parad was a JI and not Parad) the source said.
The source declined to make public the name of the said JI, but said he was the one “bringing a laptop” in the group.
Sulu evacuees reached 7600
JOLO, SULU, Philippines – The number of evacuees here has now reached to 7,600, mostly housed in evacuation centers in four municipalities in Sulu, Task Froce ICRC disclosed today.
The evacuees are housed in school buildings in the municipalities of Indanan, Tapilapao, Maimbung and Parang, said Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Chairman, Task Force ICRC.
The provincial government has recorded so far the number of individuals or families who went to evacuation centers provided by the government. Tan claimed, there “could be more” as others are staying in their relatives in adjacent municipalities of Idanan, Talipao and Maimbung.
The military however is surprised on the rising number of evacuees since there is no impending military operation against the Abu Sayyaf. The Abu Sayyaf is holding two foreign ICRC volunteers hostage for 88 days.
Task Force ICRC Spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said, there is “no direct information of military operations” to civilians.
Most of the evacuees claim, they fear being caught by the crossfire. Male evacuees said, they rather be at evacuation center ‘to prevent being arrested or invited by military of police.
Civilians see a semi-martial in Sulu Island, as they no longer move freely in the dark.
Arevalo said, a civilian does not have to be apprehensive of the “State of Emergency” “kung wala silang kasalanan, hindi problema yun,” he added.
Arevalo said, the evacuation was stemmed from the “misinformation” being done by unscrupulous civilians” in Jolo proper.
The provincial social welfare office is in charge of the documentation and distribution of relief goods to “internally displaced people(IDPs)” who are now in the different evacuation centers in the province.
Evacuees received initial food assistance from the government like rice, noodles, eggs, and flour and basic medicines.
The biggest numbers of evacuees in the town proper of Parang, said Arevalo.
Parang is very much affected with IDPs because it is where Abu Sayyaf leader Al-Bader roam with his captives.
Civilians flee AFP cries another ASG tactic
Brgy. Bunot, INDANAN, SULU, Philippines – Civilians here staying in areas where the Abu Sayyaf roam, have fled to evacuation centers due to military presence, but the military termed it “misinformation campaign” by the enemies.
The military acknowledge there are “misinformation” campaign being conducted by the Abu Sayyaf being passed to communities in the hinterlands of Indanan and Parang.
“Mayroon talagang naglalakad at nagpapasabi na simulan namin ang operasyon,” said 3rd Marine Brigade Commander, Col. Eugene Clemen.
In Tausug, Hajirun Sapayani, 55 said they were informed by their elders in the community of “a pending military operation.”
Sapayani is a father of 7 and resident of Taran, Indanan, Sulu now seek shelter in Poblacion Elementary School, in Indanan.
Clemen believed that was part of the “misinformation” by the Abu Sayyaf through its sympathizers and supporters.
Barangay Taran, about 7 kilometers from Poblacion Indanan, is accordingly both sanctuary and lair for the Abu Sayyaf, said Clemen.
Sapayani said, they fled their homes for fear of being caught in the cross fire. Aside from their house and some farm animals, Sapayani said, they also left their fruit bearing trees ready for harvest.
He said, they rather be safe and accept the lost of the produce of their fruit trees – like Durian and mangosteen. Sapayani’s family shares a classroom with 4 other families from Taran, Indanan.
Sapayani claimed, they have not seen the hostages and their captives passing in their community, but admits the community is frequented by the group before.
Clemen on the other hand said, the Marines have established a detachment in Taran together with the CEF (Civilian Emergency Force) assuring residents of their safety. “Bakit sila aalis, wala namang eminent threat,” (Why are they leaving, there is no eminent threat) he said.
The military continue to add pressure to the Abu Sayyaf holding two foreign Red Cross workers for more than 80 days, using CEF as forward elements in the “constricted area”.
CHR monitored 43 arrest made in Sulu
JOLO, SULU, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights has started looking into human rights violations done to 43 persons “invited” by police and military for suspicion of conspiracy with the Abu Sayyaf.
A special team of Human Rights investigators from government’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR) were able to get a list of names of invitees from the authorities here.
Earlier, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan challenged the CHR team to provide him list of “invitees” as the figure could be “exaggerated”. “Where is the list?,” Tan was quoted asking the CHR team.
Though Tan assured the “invitees” will be given due process, he assured that is it not a “martial law” where authorities can arbitrarily arrest individuals on mere suspicion of conspiring to the Abu Sayyaf.
The four-man Investigating team of CHR 9 is headed by Rey Ituralde, Chief, Investigation Division CHR 9.
Ituralde said, they are “talking to lawyers” of 36 individuals whose clients were invited by the police following a crack down days after the “State of Emergency” was declared in Sulu.
Of the 43 individuals invited 8 were brought to Zamboanga City for inquest proceeding, of which 7 were charged and later released due to “insufficient probable cause”.
The CHR team also noticed the stop of crack down by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the province.
The team left Sulu Saturday and is expected to submit a formal report to the regional office in Zamboanga City.
Brendo Morales, Special Investigator III, CHR said they are looking into some cases of “invitations” for possible violation of human rights.
He however declined to give specifics of their “initial findings”.
The monitoring of Human rights violation of CHR 9 here will continue following some “invitations” to individuals done in remote areas of Sulu and are now “under tactical interrogation (TI)” by authorities.
Over the week, a barangay captain in Indanan narrated an incident where CIDG operatives attempted to “arrest” 2 (two) more barangay captains from Indanan attending a dialogue with the AFP.
The barangay captain, who requested not be named said, in case CIDG operatives insisted, “dadanak ang dugo doon mismo”.
The CIDG returned to Jolo, Sulu empty handed, the barangay captain said.
The AFP conducted series of dialogue in Indanan town last week.
A special team of Human Rights investigators from government’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR) were able to get a list of names of invitees from the authorities here.
Earlier, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan challenged the CHR team to provide him list of “invitees” as the figure could be “exaggerated”. “Where is the list?,” Tan was quoted asking the CHR team.
Though Tan assured the “invitees” will be given due process, he assured that is it not a “martial law” where authorities can arbitrarily arrest individuals on mere suspicion of conspiring to the Abu Sayyaf.
The four-man Investigating team of CHR 9 is headed by Rey Ituralde, Chief, Investigation Division CHR 9.
Ituralde said, they are “talking to lawyers” of 36 individuals whose clients were invited by the police following a crack down days after the “State of Emergency” was declared in Sulu.
Of the 43 individuals invited 8 were brought to Zamboanga City for inquest proceeding, of which 7 were charged and later released due to “insufficient probable cause”.
The CHR team also noticed the stop of crack down by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the province.
The team left Sulu Saturday and is expected to submit a formal report to the regional office in Zamboanga City.
Brendo Morales, Special Investigator III, CHR said they are looking into some cases of “invitations” for possible violation of human rights.
He however declined to give specifics of their “initial findings”.
The monitoring of Human rights violation of CHR 9 here will continue following some “invitations” to individuals done in remote areas of Sulu and are now “under tactical interrogation (TI)” by authorities.
Over the week, a barangay captain in Indanan narrated an incident where CIDG operatives attempted to “arrest” 2 (two) more barangay captains from Indanan attending a dialogue with the AFP.
The barangay captain, who requested not be named said, in case CIDG operatives insisted, “dadanak ang dugo doon mismo”.
The CIDG returned to Jolo, Sulu empty handed, the barangay captain said.
The AFP conducted series of dialogue in Indanan town last week.
Friday, March 27, 2009
1 of 3 Naga teachers kidnapped is dead
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines– The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) handling the kidnapping case of the three teachers in Zamboanga Sibugay has received information that one of the hostages died while in captivity, an official disclosed.
The information disclosed that Noime Mandi passed away due to complications arising from Mandi’s recent medical surgery, the official said.
Chief Insp. Alex Lorenzo, Zamboanga Sibugay police spokesman, on Friday disclosed that the information about Mandi’s death was confirmed by an informant based in Basilan province, where the teachers were taken.
Mandi along with Jodelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion were seized by a group of pirates led by Kamsa Asdanal last March 13 while they were traveling from the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw to the town proper of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Asdanal’s group has turned over the teachers last Sunday to the Abu Sayyaf group led by Furuji Indaman in the island province of Basilan, south of this city.
However, Lorenzo said it was not immediately known as to when Mandi died except that the hostage passed away while they are already in Basilan province.
Lorenzo said Mandi was bringing with her medicines that were good “only for that day” when the pirates kidnapped them last March 13 off shore Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Lorenzo disclosed that the CMC contacted the kidnappers last March 23 and requested them to show proof of life “but the hostages were not allowed to talk.”
He disclosed that the CMC is working it out to retrieve Mandi’s body.
The information disclosed that Noime Mandi passed away due to complications arising from Mandi’s recent medical surgery, the official said.
Chief Insp. Alex Lorenzo, Zamboanga Sibugay police spokesman, on Friday disclosed that the information about Mandi’s death was confirmed by an informant based in Basilan province, where the teachers were taken.
Mandi along with Jodelyn Enriquez and Jocelyn Inion were seized by a group of pirates led by Kamsa Asdanal last March 13 while they were traveling from the village of Bangkaw-Bangkaw to the town proper of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Asdanal’s group has turned over the teachers last Sunday to the Abu Sayyaf group led by Furuji Indaman in the island province of Basilan, south of this city.
However, Lorenzo said it was not immediately known as to when Mandi died except that the hostage passed away while they are already in Basilan province.
Lorenzo said Mandi was bringing with her medicines that were good “only for that day” when the pirates kidnapped them last March 13 off shore Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Lorenzo disclosed that the CMC contacted the kidnappers last March 23 and requested them to show proof of life “but the hostages were not allowed to talk.”
He disclosed that the CMC is working it out to retrieve Mandi’s body.
88 power consumers to put off light at Earth Hour in Zamboanga
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The city is expected to be enveloped in darkness for one-hour Saturday, March 28 evening in celebration Earth Hour 2009, global campaign to reduce impact of global warming.
City’s power distributor Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) estimates around 88 thousand power consumers – residential, commercial, industrial, public buildings and street lights, will be shut off for 60-minutes in an imposed city-wide blackout.
Earth Hour, the activity initiated by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), spearheaded in the country by Department of Energy, wants to create awareness on the detrimental effects of global warming.
In the “switch off” ceremony to be held at the Multi-Purpose hall of ZAMCELCO, a video presentation will show the cause and effects of global warming.
The organizers of Earth Hour hoped that the “total black out” will encourage people to be more aware of their energy usage, as producing electricity pollutes the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels thus contributing to global warming.
Global warming is the term used to describe the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate.
City Mayor Celso Lobregat together with ZAMCELCO General Manager Reinerio R. Ramos will switch off the city’s power line at around 8:30 pm Saturday.
After the “switch off” and lighting of candles, an ecumenical prayer will follow to be led by Rev. Ben Villaflores, Rev. Pastor Berlie Yap and Mr. Amilpasa Bandaying.
After the ecumenical prayers, restoration of power will be done gradually by feeder at an interval of 15-minutes.
The last feeder will be switch on will be the northside feeder, which covers Nunez street, where the residence of the Mayor is located.
After the restoration of power, a ceremonial signing of covenant to support to the campaign against global warming will highlight the event. Expected to join in the signing of the covenant of support are the business sector, AFP, PNP, industrial group and other members representing the cross sector of the society.
City’s power distributor Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) estimates around 88 thousand power consumers – residential, commercial, industrial, public buildings and street lights, will be shut off for 60-minutes in an imposed city-wide blackout.
Earth Hour, the activity initiated by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), spearheaded in the country by Department of Energy, wants to create awareness on the detrimental effects of global warming.
In the “switch off” ceremony to be held at the Multi-Purpose hall of ZAMCELCO, a video presentation will show the cause and effects of global warming.
The organizers of Earth Hour hoped that the “total black out” will encourage people to be more aware of their energy usage, as producing electricity pollutes the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels thus contributing to global warming.
Global warming is the term used to describe the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate.
City Mayor Celso Lobregat together with ZAMCELCO General Manager Reinerio R. Ramos will switch off the city’s power line at around 8:30 pm Saturday.
After the “switch off” and lighting of candles, an ecumenical prayer will follow to be led by Rev. Ben Villaflores, Rev. Pastor Berlie Yap and Mr. Amilpasa Bandaying.
After the ecumenical prayers, restoration of power will be done gradually by feeder at an interval of 15-minutes.
The last feeder will be switch on will be the northside feeder, which covers Nunez street, where the residence of the Mayor is located.
After the restoration of power, a ceremonial signing of covenant to support to the campaign against global warming will highlight the event. Expected to join in the signing of the covenant of support are the business sector, AFP, PNP, industrial group and other members representing the cross sector of the society.
No hoarding of rice - NFA
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The National Food Authority denies hoarding NFA imported rice in the city as a way to control its prices in the region.
The NFA does not hoard imported rice as it will “eat up the space” at the warehouse, NFA provincial director John Robert Hermano renounce accusations of local rice retailers in the city.
The city of Zamboanga alone consumes an average of five thousand bags of NFA rice a day, said Hermano.
Most of its rice, imported from Vietnam and Cambodia are being sold at NFA accredited rice dealers, Bigasan sa Parokya and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tindahan Natin.
Hermano also said, imported rice has a quality life span of six months.
“It will be a lost for NFA,” if NFA rice will not be disposed to accredited rice retailers, said Hermano.
Local rice retailers earlier complain NFA intentionally sells high priced imported NFA rice to them as a way to hoard the rice for the advantage of “capitalist rice traders”.
Hermano urges local rice traders to come in the open and report to them, of any hoarding being perpetuated by other traders in collusion with NFA personnel.
With the average rice consumption of Zamboanga City, Hermano said, they still have enough stocks of rice.
The NFA is not allowed also to sell above the allowable rice consumption “ceiling” of the area.
NFA rice are being sold at the average of 25 – 32 pesos per kilo, depending on the source of import.
The NFA does not hoard imported rice as it will “eat up the space” at the warehouse, NFA provincial director John Robert Hermano renounce accusations of local rice retailers in the city.
The city of Zamboanga alone consumes an average of five thousand bags of NFA rice a day, said Hermano.
Most of its rice, imported from Vietnam and Cambodia are being sold at NFA accredited rice dealers, Bigasan sa Parokya and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tindahan Natin.
Hermano also said, imported rice has a quality life span of six months.
“It will be a lost for NFA,” if NFA rice will not be disposed to accredited rice retailers, said Hermano.
Local rice retailers earlier complain NFA intentionally sells high priced imported NFA rice to them as a way to hoard the rice for the advantage of “capitalist rice traders”.
Hermano urges local rice traders to come in the open and report to them, of any hoarding being perpetuated by other traders in collusion with NFA personnel.
With the average rice consumption of Zamboanga City, Hermano said, they still have enough stocks of rice.
The NFA is not allowed also to sell above the allowable rice consumption “ceiling” of the area.
NFA rice are being sold at the average of 25 – 32 pesos per kilo, depending on the source of import.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Zamboanga City to join Earth Hour 2009
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines –The City of Zamboanga will join other cities in the worldwide observance of Earth Hour, a simple action of turning off the lights for one hour on Saturday, March 28 to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
Mayor Celso Lobregat on Monday met with different sectors in the city to inform about the planned action that is organized by the Earth Day Network Philippines chaired by Elisea Gozun, former Environment Secretary.
Last year, Zamboanga City also actively supported the campaign by shutting off lights for one hour, simultaneously with other cities globally on March 29.
Lobregat appealed for public support to the campaign and stressed that the activity will help reduce effects of global warming, which is the most significant threat to life on Earth.
Continued reliance on electricity sourced from coal-fired power stations is causing a dramatic increase in the Earth’s temperature, resulting in rising sea levels, an increase in drought and severe storms and massive changes to the environment.
Zamboanga City has not been spared by climate change. In November 2007, the city was struck by two storm surge incidents which brought devastating effects to the city.
The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) has prepared a power turn-off and restoration schedule for the 60-minute blackout on Saturday.
Present during the meeting at City Hall Monday were representatives from the government sector, the military, police, business sector, media, ZAMCELCO, members of the City Council and other groups.
Gozun in a letter to Mayor Lobregat invited Zamboanga to join the millions around the world in celebrating Earth Hour. “Let us join nations around the world as they literally “turn off their lights” for Earth Hour”.
Earth Hour is expected to create awareness on climate change and be a symbol of the fact that people of the world working together can make a difference in the fight against global warming.Zambo kidnapped teachers made contacts
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The three (3) kidnapped Zamboanga teachers have made contacts to emissaries Police here proving they are “all in good condition and all alive”, the city government declared Monday.
“There is proof of life and they are in good condition,” Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said of Frairez Quizon, Rafael Mayonado and Janette de los Reyes, teachers of Landang Laum and Guwa School.
Acting City Police Director P/Sr. Supt. Mario B. Yanga and PNP Regional Director P/Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao met Lobregat in a close door meeting recently and relayed the information to the latter.
The trio has been held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen, believed to have ties with Al-Qaeda’s Asian terrorist group, Jemaah Islamia for two months to date.
Police and military information claim the victims are being held in the mountains of Tuburan, Basilan.
Authorities are also holding a picture of the three teachers seen in a hut less their captors which was shown to relatives, a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Lobregat admitted having contacts with the group holding the three teachers, but declined to give further details.
What was certain, according to Lobregat, the kidnapped teachers are all “in good condition” and are all alive.
The three teachers were snatched last January 23, while on board a motorized pumpboat on the way to mainland Zamboanga by four armed men and were brought to nearby island province of Basilan.
The kidnappers demanded 6-million pesos ransom (US$ 124,000), for the three teachers, who come from very poor families and barely live on their salaries.
Lobregat reiterated his appeal for the release of the victims as “they (victims) did not fault anyone and that they serve wholeheartedly to educated children of our Muslim brothers and sisters on the island barangays.”
The city government and Department of Education stand pat of the government’s “no ransom policy” in dealing with kidnapping incidents.
“There is proof of life and they are in good condition,” Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said of Frairez Quizon, Rafael Mayonado and Janette de los Reyes, teachers of Landang Laum and Guwa School.
Acting City Police Director P/Sr. Supt. Mario B. Yanga and PNP Regional Director P/Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao met Lobregat in a close door meeting recently and relayed the information to the latter.
The trio has been held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen, believed to have ties with Al-Qaeda’s Asian terrorist group, Jemaah Islamia for two months to date.
Police and military information claim the victims are being held in the mountains of Tuburan, Basilan.
Authorities are also holding a picture of the three teachers seen in a hut less their captors which was shown to relatives, a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Lobregat admitted having contacts with the group holding the three teachers, but declined to give further details.
What was certain, according to Lobregat, the kidnapped teachers are all “in good condition” and are all alive.
The three teachers were snatched last January 23, while on board a motorized pumpboat on the way to mainland Zamboanga by four armed men and were brought to nearby island province of Basilan.
The kidnappers demanded 6-million pesos ransom (US$ 124,000), for the three teachers, who come from very poor families and barely live on their salaries.
Lobregat reiterated his appeal for the release of the victims as “they (victims) did not fault anyone and that they serve wholeheartedly to educated children of our Muslim brothers and sisters on the island barangays.”
The city government and Department of Education stand pat of the government’s “no ransom policy” in dealing with kidnapping incidents.
Refrain from recruitment - AFP told MNLF
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military on Tuesday urged a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to refrain from recruiting young Muslims in the city and create alarm and apprehension to residents.
“They (MNLF) should not subject people of Zamboanga to alarm and apprehension,” as what happened the other week in an east coast village, said Col. Santiago Baluyot, Commander Task Force Zamboanga.
Task Force Zamboanga together with Sangali Barangay officials persuaded last Thursday, around 70 uniformed MNLF Mutallah Force to disperse peacefully. Baluyot said, the MNLF leader, a certain Commander Usman obliged after authorities explained the nature of their action.
The MNLF raised their flag and with uniformed “but unarmed” followers doing a formation in celebration of the MNLF’s anniversary.
Baluyot said, based on their initial investigation most “recruits” were young and were “lured” into a pending integration to the AFP or PNP.
The integration of MNLF regulars into the AFP and PNP was a thing of the past, described Baluyot. One of the provisions of the 1996 Peace Accord was the integration of the MNLF to the government military and police, but all were filled up and complied with.
One thing alarming was the “collection of membership fees” made from the recruits, Baluyot said. Some “recruits” admitted to Task Force Zamboanga, “membership fees” can be paid on installment basis, ranging from 500 to 700 pesos per membership.
The Task Force Zamboanga is utilizing its “integrated soldiers” in closely coordinating with the MNLF faction in the city. They are closely monitoring reported pending “training” of the MNLF in two east coast barangays in the city.
Such activity was earlier denied by the village officials, Baluyot said. He did not made mention the name of Barangays identified as possible grounds for training of the MNLF.
“They (MNLF) should not subject people of Zamboanga to alarm and apprehension,” as what happened the other week in an east coast village, said Col. Santiago Baluyot, Commander Task Force Zamboanga.
Task Force Zamboanga together with Sangali Barangay officials persuaded last Thursday, around 70 uniformed MNLF Mutallah Force to disperse peacefully. Baluyot said, the MNLF leader, a certain Commander Usman obliged after authorities explained the nature of their action.
The MNLF raised their flag and with uniformed “but unarmed” followers doing a formation in celebration of the MNLF’s anniversary.
Baluyot said, based on their initial investigation most “recruits” were young and were “lured” into a pending integration to the AFP or PNP.
The integration of MNLF regulars into the AFP and PNP was a thing of the past, described Baluyot. One of the provisions of the 1996 Peace Accord was the integration of the MNLF to the government military and police, but all were filled up and complied with.
One thing alarming was the “collection of membership fees” made from the recruits, Baluyot said. Some “recruits” admitted to Task Force Zamboanga, “membership fees” can be paid on installment basis, ranging from 500 to 700 pesos per membership.
The Task Force Zamboanga is utilizing its “integrated soldiers” in closely coordinating with the MNLF faction in the city. They are closely monitoring reported pending “training” of the MNLF in two east coast barangays in the city.
Such activity was earlier denied by the village officials, Baluyot said. He did not made mention the name of Barangays identified as possible grounds for training of the MNLF.
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