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==Deadly Drone Strike on Muslims in the Southern Philippines - Brookings Institution==
==Armed men abduct village chief in Sulu==
*Source: http://cebusandman.typepad.com/philippines_travel_news/2012/03/deadly-drone-strike-on-muslims-in-the-southern-philippines-brookings-institution.html
*Source: http://www.remate.ph/2012/03/armed-men-abduct-village-chief-in-sulu/
*March 7, 2012 at 1:47 AM
*Mar 8, 2012 1:19pm HKT
:By cebusandman.typepad.com
:By Anthony Vargas


   
   
Early last month, Tausug villagers on the Southern Philippine island of Jolo heard a buzzing sound not heard before. It is a sound familiar to the people of Waziristan who live along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, where the United States fights the Taliban. It was the dreaded drone, which arrives from distant and unknown destinations to cause death and destruction. Within minutes, 15 people lay dead and a community plunged into despair, fear and mourning.The U.S. drone strike, targeting accused leaders in the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah organisations, marked the first time the weapon has been used in Southeast Asia. The drone has so far been used against Muslim groups and the Tausug are the latest on the list.Just as in Pakistan and other theatres of the "war on terror", the strike has provoked controversy, with a Filipino lawmaker condemning the attack as a violation of national sovereignty. This controversy could increase with the recent American announcement that it plans to boost its drone fleet in the Philippines by 30 per cent. The U.S. already has hundreds of troops stationed on Jolo Island, but until now, the Americans have maintained a non-combat "advisory" role.The expansion of U.S.' drone war has the potential to further enflame a volatile conflict involving the southern Muslim areas and Manila, which has killed around 120,000 people over the past four decades. To understand what is happening in the Philippines and the U.S.' role in the conflict, we need to look at the Tausug, among the most populous and dominant of the 13 groups of Muslims in the South Philippines known as "Moro", a pejorative name given by Spanish colonisers centuries ago.Sulu SultanateFor hundreds of years, the Tausug had their own independent kingdom, the Sulu Sultanate, which was established in 1457 and centered in Jolo. The Sultanate became the largest and most influential political power in the Philippines with highly developed trade links across the region. From this base among the Tausug, Islam took root in neighbouring Mindanao Island among the Maguindanao and other groups.The antagonistic relationship between the Moro periphery and the centre in Manila developed during the Spanish colonial era. The Spanish had arrived not long after expelling the Muslims from Spain and, intoxicated by that historical victory, were determined to exterminate Islam in the region and unite the Philippines under Christian rule.In the instructions given by the Spanish governor on the eve of the first campaign against the southern Muslims in 1578, he ordered that "there be not among them anymore preachers of the doctrines of Mahoma since it is evil and false" and called for all mosques to be destroyed. The governor's instructions set the tone for centuries of continuous warfare. The idea of a predatory central authority is deeply embedded in Tausug mythology and psychology.Of all the Moro groups, the Tausug has been considered the most independent and difficult to conquer, with not a single generation of Tausug experiencing life without war over the past 450 years.As any anthropologist will testify, the Tausug have survived half a millennium of persecution and attempts at conversion because of their highly developed code and clan structure. It is the classic tribe: egalitarian and feuding clans that unite in the face of the outside enemy and a code which emphasizes honor, revenge, loyalty and hospitality.It was only in the late 19th century that Spain succeeded in incorporating the Sulu Sultanate as a protectorate and established a military presence on Jolo. The Spanish were followed by American colonisers who could be as brutal as their predecessors. In a 1906 battle, U.S. troops killed as many as 1,000 Tausug men, women and children, and between 500 and 2,000 in a 1913 engagement.Despite the Moro resistance to U.S. colonial rule, they advocated for either continued American administration or their own country, rather than be incorporated into an independent Philippines, which they believed would continue the policies of the Spanish against their religion and culture. The request, however, was rejected.'Special provinces'Following independence in 1946, the Muslim regions were ruled as "special provinces" with most of the important government posts reserved for Christian Filipinos. Despite being granted electoral representation in the 1950s, the majority of Moro had little interest in dealing with the central government. Manila, for its part, largely neglected the region.The Tausug areas remained impoverished and, in the absence of jobs, young men turned to looting and piracy. In response, Manila opted for heavy-handed military tactics and based its largest command of security forces in the nation among the Tausug.Central government actions to subdue the Tausug areas in the 1950s resulted in the deaths of almost all fighting age men in certain regions. The society was torn apart, with the young generation growing up without traditional leadership.The current conflict began in 1968 with what became known as the Jabidah Massacre, when around 60 mainly Tausug recruits in the Philippine Army were summarily executed after they refused a mission to attack the Malaysian region of Sabah, where a population of Tausug also resides.In 1971, the Moro, incensed by Jabidah and accusing the central government of conducting "genocide", began an open war against the state. A Tausug-dominated independence movement soon developed called the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). In 1976, the government reached an agreement with the MNLF to grant the Moro areas autonomy, which was further developed in a 1996 treaty that is still being negotiated.For many Moro living on Mindanao, however, the deal was unsatisfactory because of the presence of so many Christian settlers, who they complained were taking more and more of their land under what seemed like government policy.Indeed, the population had dramatically changed from 76 per cent Muslim in 1903 to 72.5 per cent Christian by 2000. The government was arming Christian settlers to attack Muslims. In 1971, the most notorious Christian militia, the Ilaga, killed 70 Moro in a mosque. Muslim militias lashed back, leading to a cycle of violence.A new group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), based in Mindanao's Maguindanao ethnic group, soon split from the MNLF and vowed to push for secession.'Abu Sayyaf' labelFollowing the 9/11 attacks, the United States became involved in the region in pursuit of the elusive Abu Sayyaf, which it accused of having links with al-Qaeda. The group was formed by a charismatic Tausug preacher in the late 1980s, whose speeches attracted angry young men from a community rife with orphans due to the previous decades of war.Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings, gripping the Philippines with sensational media reports. Manila has been accused of applying the "Abu Sayyaf" label to any conflict in the region, including those involving small armed Tausug groups, many of them kinship based, which have existed for centuries.Aid workers kidnapped in 2009, for example, reported that their "Abu Sayyaf" captor told them "I can be ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group), I can be MILF, I can be [MILF or MNLF breakaway group] Lost Command".Manila was discovering, like many other nations after 9/11, that by associating its restless communities on the periphery with al-Qaeda, it could garner easy American support.To resolve the conflict between the Moro and Manila, President Benigno Aquino must demonstrate that the centuries of conflict and forced assimilation into a monolithic Filipino culture are over. The government needs to promote pluralism and build trust with the periphery.With the recent declarations by President Aquino's government that the state is fully invested in implementing the 1996 autonomy agreement with the MNLF and hopes to have a peace treaty in place with the MILF by 2013, the various parties have a unique opportunity to work for a longstanding solution.Development projects to help the suffering Tausug must be conducted urgently as the situation for ordinary people is dire. Amidst the frequent barrages of artillery and bombs and the displacement of hundreds of thousands over the past decade, a 2005 study found that 92 per cent of water sources in Sulu Province, where the majority of Tausug live, were contaminated, while the malnutrition rate for children under five is 50 per cent. Education and employment are constant challenges.The sad state of affairs does not only result from a lack of funds, as the Philippines government, the United States and others have poured millions into the region, but rather how funds are spent. The association of development with the military among the population has been an impediment to implementing necessary projects.Mediation neededBetween inefficient aid funding and the ongoing military campaigns, Manila has been drained of desperately needed resources and diverted from fulfilling its ambitions to become an economic powerhouse.Development solutions can only work if they have the full support of the clans that decide local politics, which is no easy task, considering the tenacity with which clans can fight over resources. Yet with a holistic plan of engagement in the context of true autonomy, it is possible to bring them together.Mediation, involving local religious leaders and international bodies like the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, which has taken the lead in peace talks between the Moro factions and the government, can play a key role in this regard.Major General Reuben Rafael, the Philippine commander formerly in charge of military operations in Sulu Province, gave us an example of how to proceed. In 2007, he staged a public apology for transgressions against the population. The assembled people began to cry, including the Tausug mayor of the town, who stated that never in the history of Sulu had a military general apologized to them in such a manner. This is the way to the heart of the Tausug, and we salute the general for showing us the path to peace.By unleashing the drones, the U.S. has pushed the conflict between centre and periphery in the Philippines in a dangerous direction. If there is one lesson we can learn from half a millennium of history it is this: weapons destroy flesh and blood, but cannot break the spirit of a people motivated by ideas of honour and justice.Instead, the U.S. and Manila should work with the Muslims of the Philippines to ensure full rights of identity, development, dignity, human rights and self-determination. Only then will the security situation improve and the Moro permitted to live the prosperous and secure lives they have been denied for so long; and only then will the Philippines be able to become the Asian Tiger it aspires to be.
MANILA, Philippines – A village chairman was abducted by unidentified armed men in a remote village in Sulu on late Tuesday afternoon, police reports said Thursday.
Reports reaching Camp Crame named the latest abduction victim in Sulu as Rodima Tingkahan, 35 years old and chairman of Barangay Poblacion in Parang town.
Reports said that Tingkahan was on board his vehicle when it was flagged down by 12 armed men at around 2 pm Tuesday in Brgy. Sapah Malaum in Indanan, Sulu.
The village chairman was forcibly taken by the armed men and fled towards unknown direction, reports said.
The reports added that elements of the Indanan Municipal Police are conducting intelligence monitoring and information gathering to locate the victim.
Sulu province is home of several extremists and Moro rebel groups blamed for past bombing and kidnapping incident in the region.
 
 
 




Line 58: Line 66:




==Deadly Drone Strike on Muslims in the Southern Philippines - Brookings Institution==
*Source: http://cebusandman.typepad.com/philippines_travel_news/2012/03/deadly-drone-strike-on-muslims-in-the-southern-philippines-brookings-institution.html
*March 7, 2012 at 1:47 AM
:By  cebusandman.typepad.com


Early last month, Tausug villagers on the Southern Philippine island of Jolo heard a buzzing sound not heard before. It is a sound familiar to the people of Waziristan who live along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, where the United States fights the Taliban. It was the dreaded drone, which arrives from distant and unknown destinations to cause death and destruction. Within minutes, 15 people lay dead and a community plunged into despair, fear and mourning.The U.S. drone strike, targeting accused leaders in the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah organisations, marked the first time the weapon has been used in Southeast Asia. The drone has so far been used against Muslim groups and the Tausug are the latest on the list.Just as in Pakistan and other theatres of the "war on terror", the strike has provoked controversy, with a Filipino lawmaker condemning the attack as a violation of national sovereignty. This controversy could increase with the recent American announcement that it plans to boost its drone fleet in the Philippines by 30 per cent. The U.S. already has hundreds of troops stationed on Jolo Island, but until now, the Americans have maintained a non-combat "advisory" role.The expansion of U.S.' drone war has the potential to further enflame a volatile conflict involving the southern Muslim areas and Manila, which has killed around 120,000 people over the past four decades. To understand what is happening in the Philippines and the U.S.' role in the conflict, we need to look at the Tausug, among the most populous and dominant of the 13 groups of Muslims in the South Philippines known as "Moro", a pejorative name given by Spanish colonisers centuries ago.Sulu SultanateFor hundreds of years, the Tausug had their own independent kingdom, the Sulu Sultanate, which was established in 1457 and centered in Jolo. The Sultanate became the largest and most influential political power in the Philippines with highly developed trade links across the region. From this base among the Tausug, Islam took root in neighbouring Mindanao Island among the Maguindanao and other groups.The antagonistic relationship between the Moro periphery and the centre in Manila developed during the Spanish colonial era. The Spanish had arrived not long after expelling the Muslims from Spain and, intoxicated by that historical victory, were determined to exterminate Islam in the region and unite the Philippines under Christian rule.In the instructions given by the Spanish governor on the eve of the first campaign against the southern Muslims in 1578, he ordered that "there be not among them anymore preachers of the doctrines of Mahoma since it is evil and false" and called for all mosques to be destroyed. The governor's instructions set the tone for centuries of continuous warfare. The idea of a predatory central authority is deeply embedded in Tausug mythology and psychology.Of all the Moro groups, the Tausug has been considered the most independent and difficult to conquer, with not a single generation of Tausug experiencing life without war over the past 450 years.As any anthropologist will testify, the Tausug have survived half a millennium of persecution and attempts at conversion because of their highly developed code and clan structure. It is the classic tribe: egalitarian and feuding clans that unite in the face of the outside enemy and a code which emphasizes honor, revenge, loyalty and hospitality.It was only in the late 19th century that Spain succeeded in incorporating the Sulu Sultanate as a protectorate and established a military presence on Jolo. The Spanish were followed by American colonisers who could be as brutal as their predecessors. In a 1906 battle, U.S. troops killed as many as 1,000 Tausug men, women and children, and between 500 and 2,000 in a 1913 engagement.Despite the Moro resistance to U.S. colonial rule, they advocated for either continued American administration or their own country, rather than be incorporated into an independent Philippines, which they believed would continue the policies of the Spanish against their religion and culture. The request, however, was rejected.'Special provinces'Following independence in 1946, the Muslim regions were ruled as "special provinces" with most of the important government posts reserved for Christian Filipinos. Despite being granted electoral representation in the 1950s, the majority of Moro had little interest in dealing with the central government. Manila, for its part, largely neglected the region.The Tausug areas remained impoverished and, in the absence of jobs, young men turned to looting and piracy. In response, Manila opted for heavy-handed military tactics and based its largest command of security forces in the nation among the Tausug.Central government actions to subdue the Tausug areas in the 1950s resulted in the deaths of almost all fighting age men in certain regions. The society was torn apart, with the young generation growing up without traditional leadership.The current conflict began in 1968 with what became known as the Jabidah Massacre, when around 60 mainly Tausug recruits in the Philippine Army were summarily executed after they refused a mission to attack the Malaysian region of Sabah, where a population of Tausug also resides.In 1971, the Moro, incensed by Jabidah and accusing the central government of conducting "genocide", began an open war against the state. A Tausug-dominated independence movement soon developed called the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). In 1976, the government reached an agreement with the MNLF to grant the Moro areas autonomy, which was further developed in a 1996 treaty that is still being negotiated.For many Moro living on Mindanao, however, the deal was unsatisfactory because of the presence of so many Christian settlers, who they complained were taking more and more of their land under what seemed like government policy.Indeed, the population had dramatically changed from 76 per cent Muslim in 1903 to 72.5 per cent Christian by 2000. The government was arming Christian settlers to attack Muslims. In 1971, the most notorious Christian militia, the Ilaga, killed 70 Moro in a mosque. Muslim militias lashed back, leading to a cycle of violence.A new group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), based in Mindanao's Maguindanao ethnic group, soon split from the MNLF and vowed to push for secession.'Abu Sayyaf' labelFollowing the 9/11 attacks, the United States became involved in the region in pursuit of the elusive Abu Sayyaf, which it accused of having links with al-Qaeda. The group was formed by a charismatic Tausug preacher in the late 1980s, whose speeches attracted angry young men from a community rife with orphans due to the previous decades of war.Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings, gripping the Philippines with sensational media reports. Manila has been accused of applying the "Abu Sayyaf" label to any conflict in the region, including those involving small armed Tausug groups, many of them kinship based, which have existed for centuries.Aid workers kidnapped in 2009, for example, reported that their "Abu Sayyaf" captor told them "I can be ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group), I can be MILF, I can be [MILF or MNLF breakaway group] Lost Command".Manila was discovering, like many other nations after 9/11, that by associating its restless communities on the periphery with al-Qaeda, it could garner easy American support.To resolve the conflict between the Moro and Manila, President Benigno Aquino must demonstrate that the centuries of conflict and forced assimilation into a monolithic Filipino culture are over. The government needs to promote pluralism and build trust with the periphery.With the recent declarations by President Aquino's government that the state is fully invested in implementing the 1996 autonomy agreement with the MNLF and hopes to have a peace treaty in place with the MILF by 2013, the various parties have a unique opportunity to work for a longstanding solution.Development projects to help the suffering Tausug must be conducted urgently as the situation for ordinary people is dire. Amidst the frequent barrages of artillery and bombs and the displacement of hundreds of thousands over the past decade, a 2005 study found that 92 per cent of water sources in Sulu Province, where the majority of Tausug live, were contaminated, while the malnutrition rate for children under five is 50 per cent. Education and employment are constant challenges.The sad state of affairs does not only result from a lack of funds, as the Philippines government, the United States and others have poured millions into the region, but rather how funds are spent. The association of development with the military among the population has been an impediment to implementing necessary projects.Mediation neededBetween inefficient aid funding and the ongoing military campaigns, Manila has been drained of desperately needed resources and diverted from fulfilling its ambitions to become an economic powerhouse.Development solutions can only work if they have the full support of the clans that decide local politics, which is no easy task, considering the tenacity with which clans can fight over resources. Yet with a holistic plan of engagement in the context of true autonomy, it is possible to bring them together.Mediation, involving local religious leaders and international bodies like the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, which has taken the lead in peace talks between the Moro factions and the government, can play a key role in this regard.Major General Reuben Rafael, the Philippine commander formerly in charge of military operations in Sulu Province, gave us an example of how to proceed. In 2007, he staged a public apology for transgressions against the population. The assembled people began to cry, including the Tausug mayor of the town, who stated that never in the history of Sulu had a military general apologized to them in such a manner. This is the way to the heart of the Tausug, and we salute the general for showing us the path to peace.By unleashing the drones, the U.S. has pushed the conflict between centre and periphery in the Philippines in a dangerous direction. If there is one lesson we can learn from half a millennium of history it is this: weapons destroy flesh and blood, but cannot break the spirit of a people motivated by ideas of honour and justice.Instead, the U.S. and Manila should work with the Muslims of the Philippines to ensure full rights of identity, development, dignity, human rights and self-determination. Only then will the security situation improve and the Moro permitted to live the prosperous and secure lives they have been denied for so long; and only then will the Philippines be able to become the Asian Tiger it aspires to be.


==ASG uses Jolo bombing in hiding hostages==
==ASG uses Jolo bombing in hiding hostages==

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Armed men abduct village chief in Sulu

By Anthony Vargas


MANILA, Philippines – A village chairman was abducted by unidentified armed men in a remote village in Sulu on late Tuesday afternoon, police reports said Thursday. Reports reaching Camp Crame named the latest abduction victim in Sulu as Rodima Tingkahan, 35 years old and chairman of Barangay Poblacion in Parang town. Reports said that Tingkahan was on board his vehicle when it was flagged down by 12 armed men at around 2 pm Tuesday in Brgy. Sapah Malaum in Indanan, Sulu. The village chairman was forcibly taken by the armed men and fled towards unknown direction, reports said. The reports added that elements of the Indanan Municipal Police are conducting intelligence monitoring and information gathering to locate the victim. Sulu province is home of several extremists and Moro rebel groups blamed for past bombing and kidnapping incident in the region.






Deadly Drone Strike on Muslims in the Southern Philippines - Brookings Institution

By cebusandman.typepad.com


Early last month, Tausug villagers on the Southern Philippine island of Jolo heard a buzzing sound not heard before. It is a sound familiar to the people of Waziristan who live along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, where the United States fights the Taliban. It was the dreaded drone, which arrives from distant and unknown destinations to cause death and destruction. Within minutes, 15 people lay dead and a community plunged into despair, fear and mourning.The U.S. drone strike, targeting accused leaders in the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah organisations, marked the first time the weapon has been used in Southeast Asia. The drone has so far been used against Muslim groups and the Tausug are the latest on the list.Just as in Pakistan and other theatres of the "war on terror", the strike has provoked controversy, with a Filipino lawmaker condemning the attack as a violation of national sovereignty. This controversy could increase with the recent American announcement that it plans to boost its drone fleet in the Philippines by 30 per cent. The U.S. already has hundreds of troops stationed on Jolo Island, but until now, the Americans have maintained a non-combat "advisory" role.The expansion of U.S.' drone war has the potential to further enflame a volatile conflict involving the southern Muslim areas and Manila, which has killed around 120,000 people over the past four decades. To understand what is happening in the Philippines and the U.S.' role in the conflict, we need to look at the Tausug, among the most populous and dominant of the 13 groups of Muslims in the South Philippines known as "Moro", a pejorative name given by Spanish colonisers centuries ago.Sulu SultanateFor hundreds of years, the Tausug had their own independent kingdom, the Sulu Sultanate, which was established in 1457 and centered in Jolo. The Sultanate became the largest and most influential political power in the Philippines with highly developed trade links across the region. From this base among the Tausug, Islam took root in neighbouring Mindanao Island among the Maguindanao and other groups.The antagonistic relationship between the Moro periphery and the centre in Manila developed during the Spanish colonial era. The Spanish had arrived not long after expelling the Muslims from Spain and, intoxicated by that historical victory, were determined to exterminate Islam in the region and unite the Philippines under Christian rule.In the instructions given by the Spanish governor on the eve of the first campaign against the southern Muslims in 1578, he ordered that "there be not among them anymore preachers of the doctrines of Mahoma since it is evil and false" and called for all mosques to be destroyed. The governor's instructions set the tone for centuries of continuous warfare. The idea of a predatory central authority is deeply embedded in Tausug mythology and psychology.Of all the Moro groups, the Tausug has been considered the most independent and difficult to conquer, with not a single generation of Tausug experiencing life without war over the past 450 years.As any anthropologist will testify, the Tausug have survived half a millennium of persecution and attempts at conversion because of their highly developed code and clan structure. It is the classic tribe: egalitarian and feuding clans that unite in the face of the outside enemy and a code which emphasizes honor, revenge, loyalty and hospitality.It was only in the late 19th century that Spain succeeded in incorporating the Sulu Sultanate as a protectorate and established a military presence on Jolo. The Spanish were followed by American colonisers who could be as brutal as their predecessors. In a 1906 battle, U.S. troops killed as many as 1,000 Tausug men, women and children, and between 500 and 2,000 in a 1913 engagement.Despite the Moro resistance to U.S. colonial rule, they advocated for either continued American administration or their own country, rather than be incorporated into an independent Philippines, which they believed would continue the policies of the Spanish against their religion and culture. The request, however, was rejected.'Special provinces'Following independence in 1946, the Muslim regions were ruled as "special provinces" with most of the important government posts reserved for Christian Filipinos. Despite being granted electoral representation in the 1950s, the majority of Moro had little interest in dealing with the central government. Manila, for its part, largely neglected the region.The Tausug areas remained impoverished and, in the absence of jobs, young men turned to looting and piracy. In response, Manila opted for heavy-handed military tactics and based its largest command of security forces in the nation among the Tausug.Central government actions to subdue the Tausug areas in the 1950s resulted in the deaths of almost all fighting age men in certain regions. The society was torn apart, with the young generation growing up without traditional leadership.The current conflict began in 1968 with what became known as the Jabidah Massacre, when around 60 mainly Tausug recruits in the Philippine Army were summarily executed after they refused a mission to attack the Malaysian region of Sabah, where a population of Tausug also resides.In 1971, the Moro, incensed by Jabidah and accusing the central government of conducting "genocide", began an open war against the state. A Tausug-dominated independence movement soon developed called the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). In 1976, the government reached an agreement with the MNLF to grant the Moro areas autonomy, which was further developed in a 1996 treaty that is still being negotiated.For many Moro living on Mindanao, however, the deal was unsatisfactory because of the presence of so many Christian settlers, who they complained were taking more and more of their land under what seemed like government policy.Indeed, the population had dramatically changed from 76 per cent Muslim in 1903 to 72.5 per cent Christian by 2000. The government was arming Christian settlers to attack Muslims. In 1971, the most notorious Christian militia, the Ilaga, killed 70 Moro in a mosque. Muslim militias lashed back, leading to a cycle of violence.A new group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), based in Mindanao's Maguindanao ethnic group, soon split from the MNLF and vowed to push for secession.'Abu Sayyaf' labelFollowing the 9/11 attacks, the United States became involved in the region in pursuit of the elusive Abu Sayyaf, which it accused of having links with al-Qaeda. The group was formed by a charismatic Tausug preacher in the late 1980s, whose speeches attracted angry young men from a community rife with orphans due to the previous decades of war.Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings, gripping the Philippines with sensational media reports. Manila has been accused of applying the "Abu Sayyaf" label to any conflict in the region, including those involving small armed Tausug groups, many of them kinship based, which have existed for centuries.Aid workers kidnapped in 2009, for example, reported that their "Abu Sayyaf" captor told them "I can be ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group), I can be MILF, I can be [MILF or MNLF breakaway group] Lost Command".Manila was discovering, like many other nations after 9/11, that by associating its restless communities on the periphery with al-Qaeda, it could garner easy American support.To resolve the conflict between the Moro and Manila, President Benigno Aquino must demonstrate that the centuries of conflict and forced assimilation into a monolithic Filipino culture are over. The government needs to promote pluralism and build trust with the periphery.With the recent declarations by President Aquino's government that the state is fully invested in implementing the 1996 autonomy agreement with the MNLF and hopes to have a peace treaty in place with the MILF by 2013, the various parties have a unique opportunity to work for a longstanding solution.Development projects to help the suffering Tausug must be conducted urgently as the situation for ordinary people is dire. Amidst the frequent barrages of artillery and bombs and the displacement of hundreds of thousands over the past decade, a 2005 study found that 92 per cent of water sources in Sulu Province, where the majority of Tausug live, were contaminated, while the malnutrition rate for children under five is 50 per cent. Education and employment are constant challenges.The sad state of affairs does not only result from a lack of funds, as the Philippines government, the United States and others have poured millions into the region, but rather how funds are spent. The association of development with the military among the population has been an impediment to implementing necessary projects.Mediation neededBetween inefficient aid funding and the ongoing military campaigns, Manila has been drained of desperately needed resources and diverted from fulfilling its ambitions to become an economic powerhouse.Development solutions can only work if they have the full support of the clans that decide local politics, which is no easy task, considering the tenacity with which clans can fight over resources. Yet with a holistic plan of engagement in the context of true autonomy, it is possible to bring them together.Mediation, involving local religious leaders and international bodies like the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, which has taken the lead in peace talks between the Moro factions and the government, can play a key role in this regard.Major General Reuben Rafael, the Philippine commander formerly in charge of military operations in Sulu Province, gave us an example of how to proceed. In 2007, he staged a public apology for transgressions against the population. The assembled people began to cry, including the Tausug mayor of the town, who stated that never in the history of Sulu had a military general apologized to them in such a manner. This is the way to the heart of the Tausug, and we salute the general for showing us the path to peace.By unleashing the drones, the U.S. has pushed the conflict between centre and periphery in the Philippines in a dangerous direction. If there is one lesson we can learn from half a millennium of history it is this: weapons destroy flesh and blood, but cannot break the spirit of a people motivated by ideas of honour and justice.Instead, the U.S. and Manila should work with the Muslims of the Philippines to ensure full rights of identity, development, dignity, human rights and self-determination. Only then will the security situation improve and the Moro permitted to live the prosperous and secure lives they have been denied for so long; and only then will the Philippines be able to become the Asian Tiger it aspires to be.

ASG uses Jolo bombing in hiding hostages

By Anthony Vargas


MEMBERS of the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) are taking advantage of the latest bombing incident in Jolo, Sulu in securing several of their hostages, most of whom are foreign nationals. The latest bombing incident in the island, to which the group was tagged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the usual suspects, have killed two people and wounded 13 others. A police intelligence officer said that they have received information that the ASG is cashing on the ‘latest bombing’ incident in moving some of their hostages in a much secure and safe location. “There’s information that they are moving their hostages and using the media frenzy over the bombing of a commercial shop in Jolo to hide their movement,” said by the police intelligence officer who asked for anonymity. The police intelligence officer said that at present that several factions of the ASG are holding not less five hostages, mostly foreigners, in Sulu province alone and some of them have been with the group for months. “Somebody is trying to draw something here, but to what we have got is that some of the hostages were already move by their captors and we are trying to find out where they are now,” the police intelligence officer said. The police source said that among the foreigners being held hostage by the ASG were Japanese national abducted in 2010; a Malaysian Gecko hunter snatched in 2001; a retired Australian army man and two European bird watchers. But, one for sure, the intelligence officer said that the bombing of a shop in downtown Jolo last Saturday is a sure handiwork of the al-Qaeda linked based on bomb signatures or fragments recovered from the site. Initial post blast investigation revealed that the suspects used an improvised explosive device (IED) fashioned out from ammonium nitrate fuel oil (AFNO) in bombing the Cleopatra Commercial Store along Serantes Street in Jolo. The same intelligence officer said that the same type of IED’s was also popular among the numerous militant Islamic groups that are roaming around in Sulu province and in the rest of Mindanao area. “The ASG Moro rebel groups and even communist rebels have also used the same type of IED’s in past bombing incidents being attributed to them,” the police intelligence officer said. Although no group have claimed for the attack, the police official said that they are looking at extortion angle as the possible motive for the bombing that targeted the commercial store. Those killed in the explosion were identified as Sindao Mangilala, 47 yr old vendor of Takut-Takut, Jolo, Sulu and Deonila Undug Asiri, 43-yrs old and a teacher from Buotan, Indanan, Sulu. Wounded in the explosion were Hiji Sapiya, 46; Ferzia Aradji, 19; Jumadil Ajuljan, 40; Sali Asiri, 51; Virginia Sumail Kissae, 41; Arhamin Aplak, 25; Karmina Abdulkahil, 49; Faujia Angkaya, 39; Abdul Aziz Tutuh, 50; Rufaida Tutud, 9; Nabil Tutuh, 17; Nilsan Julmani, 17; and Jumdail Jaujali, 60 all from Sulu. Anthony Vargas

Sulu Leaders Unite For Development

By NONOY E. LACSON


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Top provincial and municipal officials of Sulu converged and strengthened their ties to propel socio-economic activities and spur development, particularly in the 2nd Congressional District of the province.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said Monday that meeting held at a hotel in Manila over the weekend served as a venue to further reinforce their ties towards the development of the district.

It was learned that meeting was spearheaded by Representative Nur Anna Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu) and her husband Banguingui (Sulu) Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidulla.

The couple led the various municipal mayors to the monumental meeting on Sunday night.

The various Sulu officials said the gathering was essential in order for them to thresh out what activities that the provincial and municipal government should undertake for the people of the district in order to uplift their living condition.

Tan said that understanding is the best foundation that the officials of the province should observe in order to spur socio-economic development in the 11 municipalities – Banguingui, Kalingalan Caluang, Lugus, Luuk, Old Panamao, Omar, Pandami, Panglima Estino, Pata, Siasi, and Tapul – comprising the 2nd Congressional District of Sulu.

“Our meeting is all about development for the 2nd District of Sulu. We want to liberate the people of the district from poverty, that’s why we have gathered in a simple dinner in Manila on Sunday,” Tan explained.

For his part, Mayor Sahidulla said that renewing ties with Tan is important in the development of the district, particularly Banguingui town.

He said the provincial government has several development programs for his town, and renewing their ties would mean more “infrastructure projects and livelihood programs” for his constituents.

He also lauded the Sulu governor for his sense of professionalism in dealing with the mayors of the 2nd Congressional District.

As this developed, Representative Sahidulla vowed to provide the necessary infrastructure and support projects, including livelihood programs, for the people of her district.

“Bringing the necessary projects and livelihood programs is my main agenda for socio-economic develop-ment for our people in the district,” Sahidulla said.

“I hope that our meting with Governor Tan would serve as a bridge to further develop my congressional district in Sulu that comprises 11 towns,” the lady solon said.

Meanwhile, the Banguingui municipal government reported that the association it formed to address the educational and health needs of the people of the municipality is efficiently moving forward as program.

Mayor Sahidulla said the association – the Banguingui Development and Multi-Purpose Association, Inc. – is now gaining momentum as it moved forward to achieve its goal by addressing the constituents’ needs regarding the education system and health requirements.

Sahidulla said the association has already hired at least 10 local teachers to address the shortage of mentors, including health care volunteers to attend to the health needs of the people of Banguingui.

He said jobless but eligible teachers have been hired by the association, and is compensating them with a monthly stipend for their services as mentors in the town.

A similar scheme had also been adopted for volunteer midwives and nurses who wanted to serve the people of Banguingui.

The mayor said the stipend for the teachers and health personnel is being drawn from the funds of the association.

According to Sahidulla, the municipal government is contributing about P50,000 per month, in addition to the contribution that the association is collecting from the 14 village officials monthly.

The mayor said that the association will also conduct the repair of various health centers and school buildings, including the purchase of health equipment and education materials for the pupils.

“Our people had been longing for these services – education and health – that is why my government have to address them by establishing an association,” he said.

“Now that we have already renewed our ties with the provincial government, I hope Governor Abdusakur Tan could also extend us their helping hand to alleviate the living condition of the people of Banguingui,” he added.

Death toll in Sulu bomb explosion rises to 4

By www.philstar.com


COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - The death toll in the bomb explosion blamed on militants on Saturday night in a commercial area in the southern Philippine province of Sulu rose to four, authorities said today.

Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said two more wounded had died at the hospital after an improvised explosive device blast along Serantes Street in Jolo town at around 6:55 p.m. Saturday, which killed two people instantly.

Besides the four casualties, there are six others injured in the terror attack. "We have four fatalities, only two died soon after the explosion," he said.

Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said investigation by the police indicated that the bomb was planted at the generator of the store in the area.

No one group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but government security forces said they are looking into possible involvement of the Abu Sayyaf terror group.






Blast in Jolo, Sulu kills at least two, injures 8

By ELR, GMA News


At least two persons were killed and eight others seriously injured in an explosion in the capital of Sulu province, a military spokesman said Saturday.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command said an improved explosive device (IED) may have detonated atop the power generator of the Cleopatra Commercial Store in Jolo, Sulu.

The generator was just outside the entrance of the business establishment attacked.

Cabangbang said the AFP has yet to ascertain who the perpetrators are and their motives.





Taking sides in Sulu and BasilanSeven soldiers killed in southern Philippine clash

By Menardo Wenceslao


PEACE and development are not the sole responsibility of the government. Government alone cannot achieve these without the peoples’ active participation. This is an unarguable fact and many a community realized this early while others too late. The island provinces of Sulu and Basilan, including the conflict areas of Central Mindanao, have not realized this yet as such suffer the consequence of the indifference of some of quarters who refuse to cooperate with the government or just suffer in silence. Sulu and Basilan were once islands of peace and stability. Many traders and visitors ventured there. Inter-island vessels docked in their ports bringing goods to and from Manila and elsewhere. Now and then cruise ships dropped anchor in their shores for nowhere else in the world can you find the wealth of the ocean floors, crystal clean waters and richness of culture than in Sulu and Basilan and of course, Zamboanga City. Secessionist adventurers who peddle lofty and utopian dreams damaged the serenity of these islands paradise. Many left the area and settled elsewhere. Others opted to stay for they have so much at stake and cannot leave. But most were silenced by fear and threats, intimidations which until today grip people to the point of paralysis and nonchalance. Sulu, Basilan and Central Mindanao have become a haven of terrorist and criminals of various breeds because people refuse to be involved in the government’s campaign to weed out these bands who hide in the pretext of extremist Islam. But there is actually nothing Islamic in their barbarism for in the end, as they sow terror and behead kidnap-for-ransom victims not a thing in their hideous deeds are of Islam. Ironically, the terrorists and the dreadful criminals among them are so few compared to the overwhelming majority who had been yearning for peace in silence. In their discontent grows a flicker of hope as some of the people realized the futility of their acquiescence. The successful operations against terrorists are attributed to the cooperation of the civilian community. This success is a demonstration of how the people cooperating with the government peacekeeping force can promptly eliminate the unwanted elements in the community. If this bravery and cooperation are duplicated in other places in Sulu, Basilan and Central Mindanao, we are certain that the misery of our brother Muslims in these areas will finally come to an end. After all, for now, they must have known which side is truly out to protect them.





Seven soldiers killed in southern Philippine clash

By People's Daily


Seven government soldiers were killed in a clash between Philippine troops and the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippine province of Sulu on Thursday.According to Lt.

Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, the encounter between the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team and Abu Sayyaf u






UPDATE: ROYAL TAUSUG ARMED FORCES OFFICERS STILL IN DETENTION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

By TGM Jolo


JOLO, SULU DARUL ISLAM, 24 February 2012 - When the Philippine National Police raided the Astana’ of the Sultan Bantilan II of Sultaniyah Sulu Darul Islam on 22 February 2019 at 9:00PM and arrested the Royal Guards, they have violated the law and the rights of the people according to the Jolo Island State Minister Datu Hadji Julmari, the PNP have;

1. NO RESPECT TO THE SSDI TERRITORY SOVEREIGNTY that which is not belonging to the Philippines.

2. NO WARRANT OF ARREST when the Royal Guards was seized. Granting so, still the Philippine National Police has no rights to seize because Tausug is not bound to their law hence Tausug citizens are not Filipino citizens.

3. NO RESPECT OF THE CITIZENSHIP of the people. Tausug Citizens are not Filipino Citizens. Tausug Citizens has the own Citizenship.

4. NO RESPECT OF PRIVACY, the Philippine National Police tank pointing the gun towards Astana’ that seems ready to fire.

According to report from the Tausug Citizens, the Tausug Royal Guards, says that the Filipino Police officer that seized them is right now washing their hands from the offence and the Provincial Director Antonio J. Frayra whore ordered the arrest is no longer of reach.

Still the seized guards are in detention, that is now more than 24 hours which in violation to detain any person for beyond 24 hours.

The Royal Tausug Armed Forces officers arrested are Datu Panglima Major Disreen Bin Rosel, and RTAF Sibar Bin Balli including the Chief of Staff of the Royal Tausug Armed Forces, Datu Panglima Sharif Martini Bin Sharif Usmani.






Navy seizes contraband off Sulu

By zamboangatimes.biz


The Philippine Navy said its men seized some 8,500 sacks of imported rice aboard a motor launch (ML) near Sulu.

The Navy said in an aggressive maritime patrol launched by joint operatives from the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), ML Janna was spotted off Candea Point in Sulu and was later intercepted by joint operatives from PN fast craft DF341 together with other operatives from Naval Task Force 61 and Naval Intelligence Security Unit-63.

After a brief chase that ended in Indanan, Sulu, the operatives caught up with the boat as it tried to escape towards Indanan.

Following a Joint Board and Search Procedure implemented by the operatives at VJ Pier in Indanan, it was discovered that the vessel, registered to a certain Farishia A Pandangan ng Serantes of Jolo, Sulu, had a crew of nine and on it were some 8,500 sacks of Vietnamese Long Grain White Rice and other imported goods from Sandakan, Malaysia all undocumented and worth an estimated market value of P 6.205 million.

As part of the Board and Search Procedure, ML Janna and its crew were issued with a Boarding Certificate and Inspection Apprehension Report. Currently, the crew, ML Janna, and its contraband have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs of Jolo Sulu.

It is anticipated that the crew might face smuggling raps in violation of Republic Act 1937 (Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines).

The series of aggressive maritime patrols and the resulting contraband apprehension by NFWM shows the PN’s serious drive to support Philippine national development through intensified anti-smuggling operations. It is estimated that millions of pesos are lost in customs taxes due to smuggling of various contraband into the country.





Sulu bombing victims appeal to CHR for fair probe, speedy justice

By Julmunir I. Jannaral


JOLO, Sulu: Victims of the bombing that occurred in Patikul, Sulu on May 13, 2009 have asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday for justice and a fair investigation on the tragedy that injured several people including Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

In a statement sent to The Manila Times, the victims who identified themselves as Hadzmi Ali Sali; Omar Hamig Igasan; Bennajar Jailani; Ruben Muallam; Khalid Majid; Abdurajan Titing Julambri; and Indanan Arajil wrote Human Rights Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales that their human rights should be respected and that fair investigation should be made.

“As the injured party in this criminal case, we would like to think that people and groups that advocate human rights are sympathetic and supportive of our plight in seeking justice for ourselves and for our families. More so, the case filed against suspect are not merely claims and statements but supported by physical evidence and witnesses that merits a strong probability of suspect’s guilt in the same,” the statement said.

The suspect alluded to is Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie, whom civil society groups describe as a long-standing human rights defender in Sulu.

Tulawie was accused of multiple frustrated murder and attempted murder in Jolo, Sulu by Gov. Tan because of his alleged involvement in the May 2009 bombing incident that wounded 12 persons including the Sulu governor.

Recent statements by the suspect coupled by statement of support, no less, by “human rights group and advocates” create a cloud of confusion and put into bad light the purpose and meaning of what human rights is all about, the statement added.

The victims were referring to the Davao City-based Mindanao Peoples Caucus who is at the forefront of defending Tulawie.

In seeking speedy dispensation of justice, the bombing victims in their statement said, “we adhere to the premise of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ that is why we want the speedy resolution of this case, but, human rights group supportive of the accused through their unusual show of support, seems to prevent and undermine the dispensation of justice to both parties.”

The victims also said the wheels of justice should roll on in order to determine whether the suspect is guilty or not. However, as a suspect, Tulawie has maintained his innocence of the charges filed against him.






Navy seizes smuggled rice off Sulu

By RENE ACOSTA / REPORTER


NAVY personnel apprehended over the weekend 8,500 sacks of rice smuggled into the country from Malaysia following a chase in the sea off Sulu.

Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman said, the imported rice was seized aboard motor launch ML Janna, which was intercepted by Navy vessels off the waters of Indanan, Sulu.

Tonsay said vessels of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao first spotted Janna off Candea Point in Sulu, but when sailors from fast craft DF341, Naval Task Force 61 and Naval Intelligence Security Unit-63 moved closer to check it, it sped away.

Navy personnel gave chase and caught up with Janna in Indanan.

A joint board-and-search procedure conducted by the Navy personnel on the motor launch at the pier of Indanan, disclosed its cargo of imported rice.

Tonsay said Janna was registered to a certain Farishia Pandangan ng Serantes of Jolo, Sulu. It had a crew of nine.

The vessel also contained various imported goods from Sandakan, Malaysia, valued at at least P6.205 million.

“ML Janna and its crew were issued with a Boarding Certificate and Inspection Apprehension Report,” Tonsay said as a result of the operation.  He said the contraband has been turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Jolo, Sulu.

The crewmen will be charged with smuggling.

 Tonsay said the apprehension of the smuggled items was a result of the aggressive maritime patrols that the Navy is currently undertaking in Western Mindanao. “It is part of the Navy’s serious effort in supporting national development through intensified anti-smuggling operations,” he said.






Sulu bomb victims voice confusion over human rights group pronouncements to media

By Hader Glang


The victims in the 2009 bombing in Patikul, Sulu have voiced their confusion and concern on recent turn of events and pronouncements on tri-media by a "human rights group and advocates" pertaining to the case at hand. In an official statement, the victims -- Hadzmi Ali, Sali Omar, Hamig Igasan, Bennajat Jailani, Ruben Muallam, Khalid Majid, Abdurajan Titing Julambri and Indanan Arajil -- said "As the injured party in this criminal case, we would like to think that people and groups that advocatr human rightsd are sympathetic and supportive of our plight in seeking justice for ourselves and for our families." More so, they said that if the case filed against suspect are not merely claims and statements but supported by physical evidence and witnesses that merits a stronh probablity of suspect's guilt in the same. "Recent statements by the suspect in print and media, coupled by statement of support, no less, by “HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP and ADVOCATES”, creates a cloud of confusion and puts into bad light the purpose and meaning of what Human Rights is all about," they said. "Kami po bilang mga biktima ay mga ordinaryong mamayan lang ng Sulu na nagtratrabaho lang ng mangyari ang pagsabog sa kapitolyo ng Sulu. Kami po ay walang alam sa anumang dahilan sa pagdamay at tangkang pagpatay sa amin sa pagsabog. Kami po ay tao din na may karapatan na mabigyan ng hustisya, lalo po na kami ay biktima, ganito ba ang human rights? Mas maniwala sa isang nasasakdal na may matibay na ebidensiya laban sa kanya, kaysa sa amin na mas nakararami na biktima? Kami ba ay walang karapatan? Kami po ay nalilito kung ano ba talaga ang ibig ng human rights base sa mga pahayag at aksyon ng mga grupo na nagsasabi na sila ito. Hindi ba dapat kapakanan ng biktima at hustisya ang ipinaglalaban ninyo? Kami po ang biktima dito." To recall, Temogen Sahipa Tulawie, implicated in the bombing incident that happened in the municipality of Patikul, Sulu on May 13,2009, wounding twelve persons including Governor Abdusakur Tan of the Province of Sulu, was arrested by combined elements of Military Intelligence Group (MIG), Special Action Force (SAF) and Police Regional Intelligence Group (R2), of Region 11 based in Davao City, on January 13,2012 at about 11:45 in the evening at his rented house in Elenita Heights Subdivision, Catalunan Grande, Davao City. Tulawie is a former Provincial chairperson of Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a coalition of Bangsamoro civil organizations (CSOs) within the province of Sulu. Reports says his work involves monitoring and documentation of human rights violation cases affecting muslim communities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, especially in the province of Sulu and he has close links with human rights groups in Davao City, particularly, the Mindanao People’s Caucus and International Solidarity Conference. The suspect is facing a case of Multiple Frustrated Murder and Attempted Murder, criminal case no. (07-09) 1648-3 and criminal case no. (07-09) 1649-3 at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 3 of Jolo, Sulu, which was filed on July 22,2009. Based on the latest media reports, Mr. Tulawie has welcomed the petition filed by Sulu Gov. Abdulsakur Tan with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the transfer of the trial to Metro Manila and that he is also amenable to the transfer of the trial to any court in Manila. According to the victims, "It would be easy to make this case political in nature, given the involvement of the Governor of Sulu as one of the complainants, but the fact remains that a crime has been committed, families were affected, many were injured, an investigation was conducted, evidence was gathered and presented, witnesses identified the suspect, case was filed in court, merits of the case was upheld, lawful warrants were issued." They also said: "It is clear that we the complainants abide and followed the rule of law, then what and where is the Human rights violation there? Case was filed against the accused not because of his so called 'Human Rights Defender' status but there is evidence, therefore, there is probable cause that he committed a criminal act, this is clear and for no other reason. We would like to think that the wisdom and proper discernment of accused and its 'Human rights' concept are properly in place." They appealed to human rights, "not to jump into conclusions and exercise objectivity in this case. it would be prudent for, not only the Human rights supporters of the accused, but to all concerned and everyone following this case to check, verify and look into the history of facts and activities concerning individuals in relation to this case, so that support and effort of groups and individuals would not be misplaced and wasted. A good tree is judge by the fruit that it bears." In any situation, they further said that "what is good will always be good, what is bad will always be bad, this holds true no matter what, and we would like to think that the premise of human rights that we adhere to in our society carries the same rule. We therefore expect that these groups of supporters will balance their biases and put into order their perspective with regards to this case." They also appealed to Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Loretta Ann Rosales to investigate the allegation of the accused about his human rights that has allegedly been violated and to also look into his activities as human rights defender in the province of Sulu.






A Sulu Sultan’s solution to migrant woes

By Raymond Tombung


The most controversial and thorny issue affecting two Southeast Asian countries – Malaysia and the Philippines – is the Philippines’ claim on Sabah. The protracted claim goes back to Sept 12, 1962, during Diosdado Macapagal’s administration when the then reigning Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Muhammad Esmail E Kiram I, by way of a power of attorney, ceded the territory of North Borneo to the Republic of the Philippines. The cession then gave the Philippine government the full authority to pursue the claim in international courts and Macapagal used the authority to raise the claim for the first the same year. The following year (1963), the Philippines broke diplomatic relations with Malaysia including Sabah but resumed ties through the Manila Accord signed on July 31 1963. The Sabah claim is therefore an old but living history with its roots going back 133 years to Jan 22, 1878 when North Borneo was leased (or ceded according to the argument from the Malaysian side) to the British North Borneo Company by the then ruler of Sulu, HM Sultan Jamalul A’Lam. The present-day consequences of this historic cession or lease is the problem of trying to persuade the Philippine government to establish a consulate in Sabah to help solve Sabah’s “mother of all problems” – the illegal (Filipino) immigrants. Recently, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, lamented the impasse, saying, “I officially informed the Philippine government that the issue is non-negotiable. “In fact, we are almost fed up with the Philippine problems in Sabah as they do not have a consulate here. “It is imperative they expedite the process so that problems faced by their countrymen could be addressed and resolved since there are so many Filipinos in Sabah.” Solution to migrant woes Anifah believes that certain Philippine officials are stoking the claim despite Malaysia’s firm stand on the issue. Among the many curious developments related to the issue was the press conference in Kota Kinabalu in January last year by Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain, the self-styled “prime minister of the interim government of the Sulu sultanate” . He pledged to find an amicable solution with the Malaysian government to drop the claim on Sabah once its new sultan, believed to be a Malaysian citizen, is installed. It later turned out that the new sultan was none other than Akjan Ali Muhammad, who made himself the new Sulu sultan in Likas, Kota Kinabalu, on Feb 2, 2011 and sparking off livid protests and legal tangles. The latest development is the statement of an heir of the sultanate, Datu Omar Ali Datu Bachtial. Last Wednesday, Omar said he wanted to meet with Anifah to convey his idea on how to resolve the problem of illegal immigrants facing the state government. Speaking rather cryptically, he said: “You must have the right people, the right information and you must know your history very well in order to resolve this.” Omar said he “may have” some knowledge which is useful to the minister in discussing the issue with the Philippines, which has been uncooperative on Malaysia’s desire for a Philippines’ consulate to be established in Sabah. Omar wanted at least two hours to pitch his yet unknown strategy to Anifah. But of all the many intrigues on the matter, there is one solution offered, which holds much water in terms of its credibility and seriousness. This offer, which is yet unknown to most Malaysians and promises to be win-win, permanent and effective, comes from Paduka Mahashari Maulana Al-Sultan Jamalul D Kiram III, Sultan of Sulu. Sultan Kiram III Sultan Kiram III’s special adviser, Onn Ariffin, had published two statements in the local papers last year. One statement, on June 21, reminded the authority that Kiram I had in 1962 given Macapagal the power of attorney to pursue the claim on Sabah. Onn proposed that the “the problem be resolved once and for all by both governments (of Malaysia and the Philippines) giving the authority to the reigning heir of Sultan Esmael Kiram [Sultan Kiram III] to negotiate with both governments”. Onn’s proposed solution, inter alia, states: “To have a clearer overview of the situation, we all need to be reminded that the long-standing dispute of who is right and wrong about whether North Borneo was ceded or leased to Britain remains unresolved. “Although the Philippines’ side may claim legitimacy of their stance that North Borneo was leased based on the annual lease payment to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, there is also the contentious issue of Spain acquiring sovereignty over North Borneo in 1878 when it signed the protocol of March 7, 1885 with Germany and Great Britain. “The protocol recognised Spanish sovereignty over ‘Jolo and its dependencies’, as well as the Macaskie Dictum of 1939, in which the heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram filed a suit case in the court of Borneo for the purpose of collecting the money due to them under the 1878 Grant…” The statement from Sultan Kiram III also proposed three important steps to resolving the claims on Sabah, bearing in mind the current situation and “setting aside all these historical issues”. “In his sincerity to achieve this resolution, His Majesty Sultan Kiram III has taken some three important steps: “(1) He had undertaken to revoke… the services of the lawyer who was appointed to arbitrate in the matter between him and the Philippine and Malaysian governments. “This termination also in effect invalidated all proposals and action made by the attorney Ulka T Ulama for the heirs of the Sultanate. “This has come into effect regardless of Ulama’s continual denial of the revocation and persistence of making representation to the Philippine government, pretending to still maintain the position of legal counsel to the Sultanate. “(2) On Feb 12, 1989, he had revoked the power of attorney issued to the Philippine government in 1962 to institute the claim on Sabah. “This action, therefore, reinstates the power to claim Sabah for the Sultanate, and no longer within the authority and jurisdiction of the Philippines’ central government.” What Onn is trying to say is that the power to claim Sabah is no longer in the hands of Manila because the power of attorney given to Manila has been withdrawn by Sultan Kiram III. Therefore any claim on Sabah made by Manila today is illegitimate. Therefore, the sole authority to make or to drop the claim is Sultan Kiram III. Hence Onn said: “His majesty is making what we hereinafter refer to as the Kiram III Proposal, that he, on his sole authority, shall drop the claim on Sabah on the terms and conditions that the Malaysian government commits to a long-term programme of participating in the development of the Southern Philippines.” And this proposal is made on the sound rationales that: 1. The dropping of the claim will remove the long-standing thorn in the flesh of the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Philippines; 2. Any further neglect, apathy and procrastination on the process towards a solution to the claim will only result in the continuance of the dilemma and the negative socio-economic impacts for both countries and for the region, or Asean and BIMP-EAGA in general; 3. The ensuing agreement for economic collaboration between Malaysia and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will open the restive region to a peaceful and progressive land. ‘No better solution’ This is possible because: a) The MNLF, the MILF, and Abu Sayyaf will be given important roles in the development process of ARMM and as such, will have little purpose in continuing with their militancy, and should lay down their arms and reap benefits in the bountiful promises of the development agenda of their land; b) The region has a huge wealth of natural resources (fertile lands, pristine jungles, seas and a substantial oil reserve of 125 billion barrels in Southern Cebu) which collectively promises the growth of numerous industries – aquaculture, agriculture, timber, tourism, oil exploration and processing, manufacturing, shipping, aviation, banking and finance. Onn said Kiram III also feels the annual lease payment made to the nine heirs of Kiram has become a cruel joke on the payees due to the ridiculous amount of about RM5,000, the value of which had shrunk to almost nothing due to 133 years of inflation. “This payment, while meaningless in terms of monetary value, is also an insult to the dignity of the payees, as well as a crafty method on the part of the Malaysian government to prolong, on the cheap, the tug-of-war over the claim over Sabah. “With a drop in the claim followed by laying down of arms by militant groups and the development of the ARMM as a new region of rapid economic growth, the current migration of people from there to Sabah in search of better livelihood will cease, removing a four-decade socio-economic burden for Sabah. “The establishment of peace in the ARMM will pave the way to the creation of a new government which will be autonomous from the Philippines’ central government. “In fact, a number of Philippine congressmen had espoused the establishment of a constitutional monarchy – on the same pattern as Malaysia’s system of government – and not a republic, for the ARMM,” said Onn. Onn added that this proposal which had been conveyed by the sultan to various authorities in the Philippines had so far resulted in serious discussions being held with the Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines Dr Ibrahim Saad, and representatives of the MNLF and the Manila government. He is planning to make a formal submission of the Kiram III Proposal to the prime minister as soon as possible. “As far as I am concerned, the proposal has all the good rational for a really win-win solution, in which both parties, and the people of both countries, will benefit tremendously in terms of security and socio-economic development. “There is no better or more genuine offer for solution than this one,” said Onn.





Diliman Diary blog: 02.15.2012 (Sulu Football Program Luuk)

By Chanda Shahani


Members of the Philippine Marines are now actively engaged in a program called "Sulu Football Program Luuk" which is aimed at instilling team work, discipline and a taste for positive hard work amongst the impressionable youth of Sulu province. It is the latest version of the Biblical admonition to convert swords into ploughshares. In this case, the youth are introduced to playing football on the playing field instead of wielding kalashnikovs on the battlefield. However, much more is needed to persuade the disaffected youth of Sulu to adopt peaceful ways. Like the enraged youth of Iraq, Egypt, Palestine and Iran, who face similar dead ends as far as their futures are concerned, it boils down to more economic opportunities coming their way. In this manner, social justice, violence and more economic equity are inextricably intertwined. Historically, the citizens of this province have been left to twist in the wind by generations of Filipino politicians based in Imperial Manila. If Imperial Manila wants peace in faraway Sulu, this toxic mix has got to change - permanently.






2 Mindanao governors doubt capability, purpose of MILF

By RENE ACOSTA / REPORTER


TWO governors in Mindanao have expressed reservations on the capability and purpose of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in leading a Bangsamoro substate, whose creation it has proposed to the government in the ongoing peace negotiations.

The doubts were aired by Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali and Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, as negotiators from the MILF and the government met for the second- straight day on Tuesday in Malaysia in an effort to strike a peace deal.

“The real question is about the character of this association and the system in which they are aimed,” Sahali said, adding, “in some provinces, the MILF has no commanding presence.”

“They are not even organized for us to consider them. I know these things because I have been a municipal mayor in Tawi-Tawi for three or four years,” the governor said.

Sahali recently spoke in a regional forum titled “Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao” that was held at the University Sains Malaysia in Pulau, Penang, Malaysia, where he expressed doubts on the MILF leadership’s “character” and “system.”

Still, the governor is confident that the government and the MILF can forge a peace agreement.

“I believe that the President will succeed. I believe that the MILF will settle with something that is possible for the government to give. I believe that there will be substantial reforms in the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao].”

“Peace and progress are coming to Mindanao… it is the understanding that gives us the ability to have peace. When we understand the other’s viewpoint, then we can sit down and work out our differences,” he said.

In his opening statement during the resumption of the talks on Monday, Marvic Leonen, chairman of the government panel, encouraged the MILF panel to focus on substantive issues and “explore common grounds.”

“We acknowledge that the issues that we tackle now are the more difficult ones, but we are optimistic that we can find mutually viable solutions,” he said. “Let us redouble our efforts to conclude these negotiations in the soonest possible time. The sooner, the better.”

Sahali noted that the substate or what the MILF referred to as “Bangsamoro homeland” will still be under the government, but will have the power to exercise all government functions, except those of foreign affairs, national defense, currency and postal services.

He said that if this will happen, “the kind of autonomy in this country is going to be a federal setup.”

“How can we be sure that those [MILF] leaders are to lead a federal leadership?” he said.

Sahali believed the improvement of Mindanao does not depend on the system of government.

“It is rather about character. It is about attitude. It is in the person that improves other people’s lives. It is not a one-way process,” he said.

Tan, who was present during the regional forum, delivered the same sentiments.

“Now, there are talks about federalism, grant of another autonomous region. We talked about vehicles and being at the driver’s seat. We know for a fact that one of the requirements of our brothers from the MILF is that we come up with a vehicle and put them behind the steering wheel and at the driver’s seat,” he said.

Tan also said his province and other areas in Mindanao must have equal share or at least benefit from the natural resources and minerals found in their jurisdictions like the oil exploration in the Sulu Sea and the natural gas reserves in the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao.

“While I state full support for oil exploration in the Sulu Sea, the benefits that the province and its people can partake from the exercise cannot and should never be understated. The sharing system must be fair and adhered to by all parties and that Sulu’s portion will be put to meaningful use by the massive development such share can generate for the welfare and benefit of the people,” he said.

The Sulu governor said the aspirations for peace and security in the region can only be realized in synergy with dynamic and meaningful development strides in areas perceived restive or considered “conflict-vulnerable.”

He said he was speaking with moral ascendancy being the local chief executive of Sulu.

“I view events in Sulu with full awareness of its history and the vantage role the province can perform in furtherance of regional peace and security and development,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles encouraged stakeholders to support or “accompany” the peace process.

“We all know [that] the government-MILF peace negotiation is reaching the substantive stage,” she said in a statement that was released by her office. “The three-day peace negotiations will be very hard discussions. So let’s accompany them.”

Deles expressed hopes that the government and the MILF will end the formal talks on a positive note.

“We want to have good news announced at the end of the talks so we can sustain gains in the peace table, move forward, and draw near to achieving a political solution to the decades-old armed conflict,” she added.

With Z. Solmerin





Sulu Gets 6 Mobile Clinics

By NONOY E. LACSON


JOLO, Sulu, Philippines — The provincial government here has turned over six mobile clinics to the rural health centers of at least six towns in the first congressional district of the province.

Gov. Abdusakur Tan said the mobile clinics were extended to the five towns last Thursday by Rep. Habib Tupay Loong (First District, Sulu) as part of his commitment to bring improvement in the health services in the rural areas of his district in the province.

Tan said Loong has also allotted a substantial amount for the purchase of common medicines in order for the local government to render better health services to the poor people of his district.





Palace belies CPP claim US conducted Sulu air strikes

By LBG, GMA News


Malacañang on Sunday belied reported claims by the Communist Party of the Philippines that the United States and not the Philippine military conducted the air strikes in Sulu that killed suspected top terrorist leaders earlier this month.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte dismissed as propaganda the reported claim of the CPP.

“Propaganda lang din yan, walang katotohanan ang napaloob sa statement nila na US troops ang nag-conduct ng air attacks sa Mindanao," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

The CPP had called for an "independent investigation" into what it claimed was the involvement of American soldiers in the bombing and air raids in Parang town.

It noted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed the target was a Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf stronghold but there is no independent verification yet.

“All the information has come from the AFP which has been known to issue distorted and self-serving statements. There should be an independent investigation to look into the involvement of American soldiers belonging to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) in the planning, provision of intelligence and surveillance information, actual execution and logistical support to the military operation leading to the air raids,” said the CPP.

“Such involvement of US troops violates Philippine national sovereignty. Claims that American military troops and advisers only get involved upon the request of the Aquino administration and the AFP only makes it worse,” it added.





Gunmen attack troops, workers in Basilan road project

By Ely Dumaboc


BASILAN (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 11, 2012) – Unidentified gunmen attacked Saturday a group of Filipino troops working with civilians on a US-funded road project in the restive province of Basilan in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said one civilian worker was injured in the strafing that occurred at around 6.45 a.m. in the town of Unkaya Pukan where Filipino troops are working on a 12-kilometer stretch in the village of Amaloy.

“The workers were harassed and one civilian was wounded in the attack in attack. There were no reports of Filipino military casualties,” Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a Philippine military spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said US soldiers, who were accompanying an unidentified project engineer, arrived at the scene after the attack and evacuated the wounded civilian, Coneh Mohd, to a nearby hospital.

“No US soldiers were in the area during the attack. They arrived later and evacuated the wounded worker,” Cabangbang said.

Basilan military chief Col. Ricardo Visaya also said that Filipino troops engaged the attackers in a 20-minute gun battle. “The road construction project in the village of Amaloy was harassed by a still undetermined number of armed men. The gun battle lasted 20 minutes,” he said in a separate interview.

Some 600 US troops training Filipino soldiers in anti-terrorism are deployed in Mindanao region, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces since 2001. They helped the Philippine military in defeating the homegrown al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and members of the Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the troubled region.

Just early this month, a US drone helped tracked down a jungle base of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya in Sulu that resulted in a successful military air strike and killing as many as 15 terrorists, including Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan; and Indian militant Abdullah Ali, alias Muawiyah, and Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail, whose nom de guerre was Dr. Abu.

Two Philippine Air Force planes bombed the hinterland village of Lanao Dakula in Parang town at around 2.30 a.m. on February 2 and destroying the hideout.

Zulkifli and Abdullah are included in the US wanted list and carried a $5 million and $50,000 bounty respectively, while Jumdail also had a $140,000 reward for his capture dead or alive.

The Abu Sayyaf has been coddling Jemaah Islamiya terrorists tagged as behind the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines. The group is still holding two Malaysian nationals, an Indian married to a Filipina and a Japanese treasure hunter, an Australian national and three Filipinos in the South. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)





Govt awaiting DNA analysis on terrorists killed in Sulu

By Bernama


PUTRAJAYA: The government is awaiting the DNA confirmation of suspected Malaysian terrorists killed in air strikes in the Abu Sayyaf hideout in Sulu, the Philippines, last Wednesday. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has not ruled out that more than one Malaysian were killed in the onslaught, but declined to elaborate. “It’s a bit complicated. Those who survived the attack buried the bodies of those who didn’t. We have to match the DNA profile and it’s a long, tedious and gruesome process. “This is something that the people don’t understand what the police, the ministry and the minister have to go through in an incident of this nature,” he told reporters after receiving United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees assistant high commissioner for protection Erika Feller here yesterday. In the pre-dawn air strike, 15 militants were said to have been killed, including Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Abdul Hir, also known as Marwan, and Darul Islam (DI) Sabah members Amin Bacho and Jeknal Adil. The Royal Malaysia Police had despatched a forensic team to the Philippines to match the DNA samples from the families of the three Malaysian militants. “We had yet to confirm whether the DNA profile of the families matches that of the remains of the individuals involved,” he said. On his meeting with Feller, Hishammuddin said they touched on international terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering and cross-border crimes. Meanwhile, Feller commended Malaysia for its record in offering shelter to refugees seeking asylum in the country.






AFP official denies American forces’ role in Sulu air strike

By Elena L. Aben


Manila, Philippines – A senior Armed Forces official stressed on Tuesday that American forces temporarily stationed in Mindanao did not have actual participation in the February 2 air strike in Sulu, where three top terror leaders and 12 other lawless elements were reported killed. This, as the AFP said that the Communication Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) call seeking for an independent probe into the alleged US role in the Sulu air strike proves that “indeed they sympathize and tolerate global acts of terror perpetrated by terrorist organizations like JI and ASG.” Col. Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas, officer-in-charge of the AFP Civil Relations Service (CRS), said “as a terrorist organization recognized by the European Union, the CPP-NPA does not have the moral mandate to question and pry on the actions executed by this government, thru powers given to it by the Constitution, in order to fulfill its mission of protecting and defending national integrity, territorial sovereignty, and defending the lives and properties of the Filipino people.”






P69.5-M Parang Development Projects Start

By NONOY E. LACSON


JOLO, Sulu, Philippines – The first congressional district of Sulu has started to implement some P69.5 million worth of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting government services, and uplifting the lives of residents in the district.

Representative Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu) said the projects include the concreting of three major roads, constructing two hospital buildings, and a potable water tank in the municipality of Parang, also in Sulu.

Of the amount, P48.5 million has been earmarked for the concreting of three roads with a combined length of 2,700 meters, P10 million for a water tank, and construction of two hospital buildings inside the Parang National Hospital compound worth some P11 million.

Loong said improving the road network of Parang is very essential as it contributes to the economic growth of the municipality through the efficient delivery of farm products to the town proper.

“Farm products can easily reach the town proper if you have a good road network, and this is very vital in the development of any municipality,” Loong said.

The water facility is also a vital contribution to the town as it will provide the necessary water supply to the visiting public and to people of the town.

As this developed, Dr. Jubiara Isnain, head of the Parang National Hospital, said the construction of the two additional structures inside the hospital compound here would greatly help them in decongesting thye medical facility.

Isnain thanked Loong for his congressional initiative for the construction of the two edifices inside the compound worth P11 million.

She also cited Loong for extending a substantial amount to the hospital that was sourced from his priority development assistance fund or PDAF for the purchase of medicines for the poor patients who seek medical attention at the hospital.

“The entire Parang National Hospital medical staff and personnel are so thankful to Representative Loong who has recognized our needs at the hospital,” Isnain said.

Political leaders here attributed the influx of socio-economic development in the district to the good relationship and unity between Loong and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.






Sulu Implements Infrastructure, Livelihood Projects

By NONOY E. LACSON


JOLO, Sulu, Philippines – Multi-million-peso infrastructure projects and livelihood programs are being implemented in Sulu as part of the commitment of the provincial government to help its constituents improve their living conditions.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said the provincial government has embarked on a massive implementation of support and livelihood projects to help the local residents.

Tan said the projects are vital for the people of the province to improve their income.

He said his administration will continue to provide the necessary development in the province, geared towards improving the lives of the people.

In another development, Mindanao Business Council (MBC) head Vic Lao said the business sector will step in to save the benefits from the proposed Tampakan project in the municipality of Tampakan in South Cotabato.

In a recent meeting with the members of the academe in Davao City, Lao said “the Mindanao business sector has decided to step in because we do not want the benefits of this project put to waste.”

Adding that the proposed Tampakan project can contribute a solid one-percent to the gross domestic product (GDP), “and it is of Mindanao’s interest that we all help protect this investment.”

Lao lamented that several laws and regulations are not friendly with the business community in Mindanao particularly in the mining industry.

“Mining is one of the biggest contributors to the Mindanao economy and we will not allow the national government to deny Mindanao of this industry and its benefits,” Lao said.

Also last week, the MBC sent an official communication to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje expressing the Council’s disappointment over the DENR head’s decision on the Tampakan project’s application for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The MBC letter signed by Lao himself stated that the DENR head’s action “was based on an unfounded basis undermines and threatens investor confidence and impacts on the stability of the local business environment in Mindanao.”

According to the feasibility studies conducted by the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), the government contractor for the proposed Tampakan project, “the Tampakan mining project can contribute an additional 10.4 percent to the gross regional domestic product of regions 11 and 12 percent annually, throughout the mine life of the project.”






AFP: The CPP-NPA are Sympathizers to Terrorism

By NewsDesk-DND


CAMP AGUINALDO – “The CPP-NPA’s call seeking for an independent probe into the US role in the Sulu air strike shows that indeed they sympathize and tolerate global acts of terror perpetrated by terrorist group organizations like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiya (JI),” Colonel Vicente Gregorio B Tomas, PA said.


The CPP-NPA asked for an independent probe into the US role in Sulu air strike conducted last Thursday, 2 February 2012, where 15 ASG and JI members were killed, including three top ranking leaders of the terrorist organizations.

Col Tomas, Officer-in-Charge of the Civil Relations Service, AFP said that “as a terrorist organization recognized by the European Union, the CPP-NPA does not have the moral mandate to question and pry on the actions executed by this government, thru powers given to it by the Constitution, in order to fulfill its mission of protecting and defending national integrity, territorial sovereignty, and defending the lives and properties of the Filipino people.”

The military has reiterated that the presence of the United States in the country is in accord with an international agreement and treaty in order to boost not only bilateral relations but also military ties. Moreover, any allied country willing to assist the Philippines in the fight against terrorism is most welcome.

“The CPP-NPA, as a recognized terrorist group, should have known better that the Philippines will do everything in its power to protect the country and its citizens from the reigns of terrorism,” Col Tomas added further.





AFP claims items on Ground Zero of Sulu air strike prove JI terrorists' presence

By Erel Cabatbat, TV5


MANILA, Philippines – Authorities claimed Sunday they now have in their hands evidence proving that the military had neutralized high-value targets in last week’s air attack in Sulu. Philippine officials had reported the operation netted, among others, Malaysian terrorist Zulkipli bin-Abdul Hir Marwan, the Jema-ah Islamiyah terrorist more known just as “Marwan,” and a founder of the local Abu Sayyay Group, “Doc Abu.” The Western Mindanao Command reported Sunday it had retrieved a notebook with the names of 29 alleged JI members from Barangay Duyan Kabau, in Parang town, Sulu. Military probers, however, are still having the contents translated, as most of what is written down is in Tausug and Arabic. Authorities hope the notebook will give them a better idea of how the JI and the ASG operate in the island. Ltc. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the intelligence community of the AFP and the Philippine National Police Academy are working double-time on the translation. Among the contents of the notebook is the name “Julkipli” that officials said is possibly the JI leader Zulkipli bin Abdul Hir or Marwan. Besides the notebook, authorities also recovered uniforms, magazines, hammocks and other items at the site where bombs were dropped by the AFP’s 0V-10 Broncos. Meanwhile, the AFP is pleased with the interest shown by Malaysia in trying to confirm that the key JI and ASG personalities had been killed. Cabangbang said it is good that Manila’s neighbors are helping ascertain the truth, so as to set the record straight and clear doubts raised about what the military billed as a clear accomplishment. Doubts were raised over the AFP claim it had killed Marwan and Doc Abu after soldiers failed to find bodies at the site where bombs from AFP planes had dropped. There had been instances in the past when claims of ASG leaders being killed later turned out to be a false alarms. Earlier, the Malaysian Home Ministry said it was sending a team to Manila to validate that indeed, Zulkipli bin-Abdul Hir Alyar Marwan was the one killed in the air strike. Malaysian authorities also want to find out if among those who died with Marwan were two other Malaysian terrorist suspects named Bacho and Jeknal Adil. They are members of another extremist group, the Duru Islam, officials said. Cabangbang cannot say when the team of forensics experts from KL will arrive in Zamboanga or Sulu, adding the local AFP is just awaiting advice from the national authorities, since the trip of the experts is under a government-to-government arrangement.






Police fail to find bodies of terrorists killed in Sulu

By Julie S. Alipala

Inquirer Mindanao


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police investigators went home empty-handed Saturday after religious and local leaders in the municipality of Parang in Sulu refused to show them the graves of alleged local and foreign terrorists the military claimed to have been killed in air strikes last Thursday. “They were not able to convince the imams [Muslim religious leaders] to show them the grave sites. The imams strongly objected to the idea of digging out the buried cadavers because it’s against their religious beliefs,” Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, chief of the police in Sulu, said. Elders of the village of Lanao Dacula, also in Parang, told the police they would be desecrating the dead ff they exhumed the bodies. Still, Freyra said, the police now know where the bodies were buried – near the site where Air Force planes dropped their bombs in the small hours of Thursday. Freyra said one of the imams said there was only one gravesite with five bodies. “The imams said the companions of the slain bandits hastily buried the bodies before fleeing,” he said. “We were hoping to get specimen samples, but we also didn’t want to insist because it might ignite tension,” Freyra explained. He said police on Friday recovered from the blast site some specimens “like samples of blood stains, some small traces of human flesh, patches and some shrapnel.” Major General Noel Coballes, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, told the Inquirer they were leaving the investigation to the police, including DNA testing to prove the identities of the slain terrorist leaders. Coballes denied reports that the bombing was conducted in Moro Islamic Liberation Front territory. “There are no MILF rebels in the area, but it’s near the Moro National Liberation Front camp,” he said. The MILF is having peace talks with the government. The MNLF, on the other hand, signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. Meanwhile, Sulu Bantay Ceasefire coordinator Octavio Dinampo corrected an earlier report he made on Friday that civilian non-combatants were killed in Thursday’s air raids. No civilians were killed. “The huts [of the civilians] had long been abandoned,” Dinampo said. But Dinampo said a relative of Abu Sayyaf Gumbahali Jumdail alias Doc Abu had confirmed the death of the bandit leader. “He died together with one Bangladeshi known as Mastal in the said hut that was converted into a makeshift clinic,” Dinampo said. He also confirmed the deaths of Jemaah Islamiyah suspect Julkipli Adhir alias Marwan and Mobato Mufaiza alias Muawiyyah. “As per verification from more than a couple of sources, including relatives of Jumdail, there were 28 persons within the perimeter of the said hut. Seven were killed, eight were wounded and the rest managed to flee unscathed,” Dinampo said. (The military claimed at least 15 terrorists were killed.) He identified the four others who were killed only as Juliun, Muin, Asis and Robert. He said those who survived the bombing buried the dead. Contrary to military statements, Dinampo said, the bombs were dropped on the village of Lanao Dacula, not Duyan Kabaw.





Sulu airstrike kills 3 terror leaders, 12 followers

By Alexis Romero


MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen terrorists, including three of the most wanted al-Qaeda-linked militants, were killed in an air strike staged by the military yesterday morning in Parang, Sulu.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said among those killed were Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail alias Dr. Abu Pula, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leader Zulkipli Bin Hir alias Marwan, and Muhammad Ali Bin Abd Al-Rahman alias Mauwiyah.

Burgos said the air strike was conducted by an OV-10 plane at around 3 a.m. at Barangay Duyan Kabau in Parang, Sulu. He said there was no resistance on the part of the militants as they might have been sleeping during the raid.

“This would (have a) very big impact on the capability of the terrorists,” said Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes.

“This is a deliberate, fully planned attack coming from our forces,” he added.

The 12 other slain terrorists have yet to be identified.

Abu is a Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader charged with 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. He provided medical assistance to injured militants, earning him the title “doctor.”

Abu was involved in the kidnapping incidents in Dos Palmas, Palawan in 2001 and in Sipadan, Malaysia in 2000.

Around 20 people, including Protestant missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, were kidnapped by bandits during the Dos Palmas incident.

In 2002, Martin Burnham was killed during a rescue operation conducted by the Army. His wife, Gracia, survived and wrote a book about her experience.

On the other hand, 21 people, mostly European tourists, were kidnapped in a dive resort in Sipadan, Malaysia in April 2000. The victims were held by the Abu Sayyaf for more than a year in the southern Philippines.

The Philippines and the United States have offered P7.4 million and $140,000, respectively, for information that would lead to Abu’s arrest.

On the other hand, Marwan was a Malaysian terrorist who served as the overall leader of the JI in the Philippines.

A bomb expert, Marwan had been charged with multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder.

The US offered $5 million for his capture while the Philippines put up a bounty of P7.4 million.

Mauwiyah is a Singaporean terrorist who served as contact of international terrorist Umar Patek. He was a former member of the Singaporean military with a rank of major. The US has offered $50,000 for his capture.

The Abu Sayyaf and the JI have links with international terror group al-Qaeda.

‘It took only seconds’

Burgos said the air strike was part of the “all-out justice” campaign against lawless elements behind the death of 19 soldiers in Al Barka, Basilan last October.

“The operation was a product of thorough intelligence gathering. It was carefully planned and it only took seconds,” he said.

Burgos said the air raid was conducted after civilians had reported the presence of Abu Sayyaf and JI personalities in the area.

“We got this from the informers and the civilians cooperated with us. Based on the reports, our troops entered the area and there was no resistance,” he said.

“We received reports that there were 30 terrorists, including six foreign JI members, who arrived in Sulu in December last year.”

Citing reports by field officers, Burgos said the operation was conducted in thickly forested area filled with coconut trees.

The targets were believed to have been sleeping in a tent when they were bombed by an OV-10 aircraft of the Air Force.

“I would like to make it clear that as of now, there was no reported civilian casualty or collateral damage,” Burgos said.

Horrible sight

Sulu Police Provincial director Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra told The STAR that the sight was horrible.

“Coconut trees were snapped off and fell on the ground. All the green grass turned brown due to the impact of the explosion.”

Freyra, who was among the first to respond to the area and supervised the after-attack operations including the documentation and taking of photographs, said even the barracks of the group were shattered to pieces, as well as the bodies of the fatalities. – With Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe, AP


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