Sulu Province News March 2012

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Military, police brace for terrorist attacks

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter


THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are bracing for a possible Lenten terror attack as intelligence officials admitted that large congregations of people in churches or in tourist spots could tempt terror groups to sow chaos.


Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Brig. Gen. Roberto Almadin, co-chairman of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC), disclosed on Thursday that all military commands throughout the country were placed on a heightened state of alert because of the assessment of intelligence groups that terror scenarios may come into play during the observance of Holy Week, which officially starts on Sunday.

“We are ready for the Lenten season, which will start next week. As I’ve said, our contingency plans will be put into play. Implementing plans would be on Monday,” Gazmin said.

Almadin said that security will be tightened on potential targets such as churches, known tourist destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, airports, seaports, public transports and vital installations.

“The gatherings of people in churches, cathedrals and places of religious interest and tourist spots may be taken advantage of by terror [groups] to conduct attacks, to sow chaos, disorder and gain media mileage,” he added.

As part of security preparations, the military headquarters had directed all unified commands to coordinate with the PNP, Coast Guard, Department of Transportation and Communications and other concerned government agencies to ensure the security of places of convergence and vital installations, and tourist spots during the long Lenten holiday.

Alamadin said that they were keenly watching all enemies of the state, including the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to ensure that bombing incidents similar to what happened in Phuket, Thailand would not happen in the Philippines.

He noted that so far, no terror incident had happened in the Philippines during Holy Week, but admitted that “there will always be a first time.”

Even in the absence of a specific threat, Alamadin said that the possibility of a terror attack remains because terrorists may strike at any place and time of their choice.

“We are not saying that this will happen. But if ever this will happen, then you can be assured that we are prepared,” he stressed.

Alamadin explained that the implementation of the security cooperation and collaboration efforts with the PNP will be done through the JPSCC centers in the regions, provinces and independent cities.

Under the security plan, the AFP-National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) will secure Metro Manila in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies.

In northern Luzon, the AFP-Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has also mobilized its operation units in all public areas and tourists spots, particularly in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

The AFP-Southern Luzon Command, meanwhile, has directed the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) and 9th ID to intensify security operations within their area of responsibility in coordination with the PNP through the JPSCC.

The Solcom’s naval and air units were put on alert for possible troop shipment or insertion and close air support. The focus areas of Solcom are cathedrals, churches, tourist spots in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental province; Camarines Sur province; and the ports in Batangas province and Mindoro island.

The Western Command ordered naval units to intensify security operations within Palawan province, home to the world-famous Puerto Princes Underground River, which lately has been drawing throngs of local and foreign tourists.

Two marine companies were dispatched to augment the Palawan police. Troops and K9 units were also positioned along entry and exit points of the province.

The Central Command directed the 3rd ID and 8th ID to intensify security operations specifically in Boracay in Aklan province and Panglao island in Bohol province. Additional naval assets were also deployed.

The Eastern Mindanao Command, meanwhile, alerted its Army, Navy and Air Force units to focus on cathedrals and churches in Cotabato City, airports, seaports and tourist spots in the Davao region.

The military’s Western Mindanao Command will secure churches in Sulu and Basilan provinces. An additional platoon would be deployed each to the Isabela cathedral, Maluso church and Lamitan church.






Cong. Loong bats for modern farming technology in Sulu

By Nonong Santiago


Sulu District 1 Congressman Habib Tupay Loong moves for the modernization of farming technology of farmers in his district to increase rice production. In an interview, Loong said Sulu has more than 400 hectares of rice lands but only about 50 hectares are being used for farming. The reason, he said, farmers have no modern farming facilities and lack technical know-how and expertise to upgrade their rice production. For this reason, the congressman met officials from the Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration and some Sulu municipal officials to discuss matters on how to uplift the capabilities of the farmers in the area.

Ricardo Cachuela, Director IV of Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization from the Department of Agriculture, commended Loong for his vision to upgrade and modernize the farmers by introducing mechanical farm tools such as tractors and mechanical driers in their farms. Cachuela said on top of the hardware will be the software, like training the farmers on farming technology and techniques to increase their rice produce. We asked the congressman if he can send some of the farmers to Nueva Ecija maybe after the Holy Week so they can witness the advances of farmers there,” Cachuela pointed out.

He said Loong has also volunteered to use his farm in Sindangan for the training of the Sulu farmers. “Actually the concept of the program is we will train farmers who will become the service provider of the mechanical hardware in a municipality and will be in charge of tilling the rice fields,” Cachuela said.

Meanwhile, NIA Regional Director Alejandro Alberca said all the seven parameters in rice production will be provided to the farmers to uplift their farming. Alberca said after the Holy Week, personnel from their office will conduct soil testing and soil sampling to determine what type of rice variety and fertilizers are suited in that province.

He said their office has appropriated P53 million for the implementation of irrigation canal in the different municipalities of Sulu.





Sulu Adopts Modern Agri System

By NONOY E. LACSON


ZAMBOANGA CITY – Top Agriculture and irrigation officials, including heads of local government units (LGUs) in Sulu, met here Monday and finalized the mechanics for the implementation of a modern agriculture system in an effort to boost food sufficiency in the province.

Representative Habib Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu) said the meeting with senior agriculture and irrigation officials focused on the implementation of a modern system in agriculture in the first congressional district as part of his program for food security for his constituents.

Loong said the new system will help improve food production in the 1st District with the revival of approximately 600 hectares of abandoned rice fields in Sulu.

Also during the meeting, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula has unveiled the construction of over P63-million irrigation canals in the 1st District of the province.

The district is composed of the towns of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Indanan, Jolo, Maimbung, Pangutaran, Parang, Patikul, and Talipao.

NIA Regional Director for the Zamboanga Peninsula Alejandro L. Alberca said the agency has allotted P63.34 million for the improvement and construction of communal irrigation canals in identified areas in the first congressional district of Sulu.

“The rice field irrigation canal projects in Sulu will be implemented by the Region-9 office of NIA next month in coordination with the respective local government units where the program will be implemented,” Alberca said.

On the other hand, Ricardo L. Cachuela, Director IV of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), has offered to lead farmer leaders in Sulu for an agricultural tour in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Cachuela said it is important for the farmer leaders of Sulu to witness the modern agriculture system that Nueva Ecija farmers are adopting.

He said farmer leaders should undergo hands-on training regarding the modern way of planting rice to provide them with knowledge to boost rice production in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, the Soil Testing Office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has also scheduled to visit the rice fields in Sulu to test the kind of soil and recommend what varieties of rice should be planted.

“Many rice fields in my district have been abandoned for the past many years due to poor irrigation canals,” Loong said.

He believes that once the irrigation canals would be completed, rice farmers in his district can again start to plant rice.

Data obtained from the DA showed that several rice fields in Sulu had been abandoned for more than 40 years already due to the man-made calamities like insurgency, and poor irrigation facilities.

Loong said he wanted to make his district food sufficient in the coming years by irrigating the rice fields.

“Always remember that the root cause of insurgency is poverty. Now, if I will continue to introduce a series of livelihood programs for my constituents, it is just as good as saying that I am helping the authorities reduce the insurgency rate of Sulu by feeding them and providing livelihood opportunities,” Loong said.

Depriving terrorists places to hide

By Menardo Wenceslao


The kidnappers in Sulu are at it again. They are the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Guerillas-turned kidnap-for-ransom syndicates who had ran short of preys they are now victimizing Muslim community health workers who can hardly even pay for their fares. In short they have simply become a hungry pack of wolves. This demonstrates the wickedness of these criminal syndicates and their senseless ideology and more significantly their running short of funds. But they have caused untold miseries to the peace-loving peoples that inhabit the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. For as long as they have an avenue to pounce on their next victim, these starving elements will not stop at anything in order to survive.

Let’s face it. While they have succeeded in carrying out their some of their crime recent development showed a significant gains in neutralizing most of them. Their leaders are eliminated one after the other and most of their hideouts and camps had been overran by government peacekeeping force. The success of the military and police operations against these terror groups and bandits had been attributed to the cooperation of civilians.

Simply said the inhabitants in these pristine island provinces have gone out of patience and are left with no other option but to side with the government. The international terrorist ring have stopped sending aids to the ASG and other Al Qaeda terrorist clones. Their home bases are undergoing a phenomenal civil unrests targeting leaders who have sponsored terrorists agenda which ironically have victimized mostly innocent Muslim civilians rather than their targets. In Sulu and Basilan for example, while they target kidnap-for-ransom prospects the community suffers as business which could have provided opportunities to Muslim Filipinos are scared to gamble with their money in such hostile environment.

But there is now a great awakening that swift the Moro land. It is not only in feeding valuable information that are needed in the campaign against terrorist and kidnapping syndicates, there is now a loud cry demanding that a peace pact be concluded between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front so that they can have a fresh start. For groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups their arena of operations and hiding places have become narrower and scarcer. Soon there is nowhere to hide. Soon, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi Tawi shall become paradise they were once before.

Fish For Peace' Program Launched

By NONOY E. LACSON


ZAMBOANGA CITY – Realizing the need to introduce change in their search for lasting peace in Mindanao, provincial officials of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the 42 municipal heads in the three provinces signed a covenant to protect the seas, and provide fishery-related livelihood projects for their constituents.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez said the “Fish for Peace” program seeks to institute equity and sustainability in the use of fishery resources by local fisherfolk, where the BFAR has earmarked P30.73 million for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) – the highest so far provided for the ARMM in the agency’s more than six decades of operation.

Perez said the covenant signing also signaled the beginning of the Mindanao-wide consultation for the launching of the “Fish for Peace in Mindanao” program concept, which the government through the ARMM and BFAR had formulated.

During the start of the consultation, Perez also unveiled the three major components of the program – “Bantay Dagat Pangkapayapaan” that seeks to address habitat protection, “Binhi Para sa Kapayapaan and Kapayao,” and the “KaPAYAOpaan” for livelihood generation and resource rehabilitation.

“This is the first time that serious attention is now being provided by the government to the ARMM,” Perez said.

Perez said of the allotted amount of P13.5 million will be used to purchase 1,000 units of 16-horsepower engines that will be awarded as a counterpart to the local government units (LGUs) who will construct their own patrol boat for Bantay Dagat operations.

At the same time, the amount will also cover the purchase of seaweed farm implements for some 850 project beneficiaries, and 50 units of payao – a fish aggregating device.

The remaining P17.23 million is earmarked for the implementation of aquasilviculture program in the five provinces comprising the ARMM.

The amount also covers the establishment of five multi-species hatchery at a cost of P1.2 million each, development of 80 aquasilviculture demo farms at P68,250 and for the planting of 915,000 mangrove propagules that will benefit 305 fishermen, giving them an earning of P18,000 in planting a total of 3,000 mangrove tress.

The initial project funding is expected to generate livelihood for 2,487 fisherfolk families, which include 850 seaweed farms, 1,250 fisherfolk for payao, 305 for mangrove rehabilitation, and 80 for aquasilviculture.

For its part, the BFAR-ARMM also awarded 42 units of 16-horsepower motorboat engines to all the heads of the municipalities in attendance.

A ceremonial check amounting to P1.2 million was also distributed to its partner state universities and colleges (SUCs) for the construction of community based multi-species hatcheries for the aquasilviculture program of the BFAR.

Perez added that “protecting what remained of our pristine waters from destructive fishing must be first among the list of our priorities, if we are serious in providing fish for all our people.”

BFAR records showed, that last year, the ARMM contributed about eight percent of the country’s production of 2.72 million metric tons from fisheries, and 37.3 percent of the total 1.84 million metric tons of seaweed, but poverty incidence in the region remains to be high at 36.6 percent in 2009.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Fisheries Salvador Salacup observed that peace and poverty-related problems continue to plaque Mindanao, particularly the ARMM region despite the vastness of their seas, and variety of fish species, and other aquatic organisms that abound in the region.

Salacup stressed that the “Fish for Peace” program is not the typical dole out livelihood program of the government, as this is firmly anchored on a strong partnership and collaboration between and among the stakeholders – each partner having to give something to ensure that the program will be implemented properly.

No smart bombs, just smart pilots in Sulu raid, says local military commander

By bong


ZAMBOANGA CITY -– Abu Sayyaf bandits seized six health workers at gunpoint in a remote village in Sulu on Monday. But the abductors, led by Ninok Sapparis, freed five of the six health workers an hour after they were waylaid at about 3:15 p.m. Monday in Barangay Liang, Patikul town, Sulu, according to Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang. Four of them were identified as Hurul-inAlih, 39, midwife; Evelyn Dugasan, 43, midwife; Abinassar Ahajan, 24, sanitary inspector; and Alhadznie Baiting, 21, nurse, all assigned with the Rural Health Unit. Cabangbang identified the remaining captive as Roselyn Kiram, 54, the municipal midwife of Patikul. Cabangbang said the victims were aboard an L-300 van traveling from Barangay Taglibi, Patikul town en route to Jolo, the province’ capital, when waylaid by the Abu Sayyaf bandits. The bandits took the victims towards the forested area south of Barangay Liang, Patikul where five of the six victims were freed, Cabangbang said. Military and police forces are tracking down the whereabouts of Kiram, he said

No smart bombs, just smart pilots in Sulu raid, says local military commander

By Julie Alipala

Inquirer Mindanao


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The military did not use “smart bomb” technology in the February 2 air strike in Parang, Sulu, that supposedly killed Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli Bin Hir and several others, including Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail. Major General Jose Tony Villarete, commander of the 3rd Air Division here, the unit that carried out the air raid, said that what he had were “smart pilots” who hit their targets and inflicted the desired damage. The Associated Press reported earlier that four senior Philippine security officials had confirmed to it that smart bombs were used in the Sulu raid and that the use of such weapons marked a new chapter in the long-running battle against an al-Qaida-linked movement in the southern Philippines. Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police chief, said that when police investigators went to the area hit by the bombs a few hours after the air strike, what they saw was a “clean hit.” “The destruction was so great that I asked myself if smart bombs were not used in the attack,” Freyra said by phone. He said no crater was left by the explosion, “so I also suspected that a new technology was used.” But Major General Jose Tony Villarete, the 3rd Air Division chief, said he felt insulted by a report that “attributes such victory to American soldiers.” “It appears we had no capability to strike using our existing hardware,” he said. “”Everyone knows how old our aircraft are, like the OV10s. What we have employed were smart pilots, four smart pilots using old aircraft.” Even if smart bombs were made available to the Philippine Air Force, Villarete said, “it was impossible to attach guided missiles to aging aircraft.” “No such smart bombs, just smart pilots, please credit our Air Force,” he added. Villarete admitted that the pilots involved in the air strike underwent training with US forces here, “and we will always place all our pilots under training with US; we have been training them before, now and in the future.” Western Mindanao Command chief Major General Noel Coballes also denied that smart bombs were used. He said what the military used in the Parang air strikes were two OV10 aircraft loaded with 500-pound bombs. “I may have not seen how the bombs were attached but I was informed about it,” Coballes said. He said the precise bomb run was the result of weeks of planning. Two weeks before the operation, codenamed “Oplan Nemesis,” was launched, the pilots that carried it out were placed under training by US forces on “how to use the said aircraft in a manner that they can deliver a successful air strike at dawn,” he said. Coballes said included the training included how to set off bombs more effectively to cause more damage. Freyra said he was later told that the bombs were set-off in mid-air. Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said they had expected issues such as this to be raised, especially by skeptics. “Basically, what we had was a reliable asset, timely intelligence, deliberate planning and well-trained pilots,” he said.

Kidnapped Sulu midwife released by captors — Naval officer

By Julie Alipala

Philippine Daily Inquirer


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Kidnapped Sulu midwife Rosalyn Kiram, 54, was freed by her captors around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Colonel Jose Cenabre, deputy Naval commander for Western Mindanao, said. Cenabre said Kiram was handed by her captors, in Barangay (village) Maligay, Patikul town, to Hadji Nurmina Abubakar, the village chairman of Barangay Darayan. The full details of the release were not yet clear, he said. Kiram was on her way home on Monday, along with five other health workers when abducted. Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police chief, said the gunmen actually took a total of six health workers after flagging down their mobile clinic in a village of Patikul. “After more than an hour, the five other health workers were released, except Kiram. Her colleagues reported the kidnapping to the local police, Freyra said.

Midwife abducted in Sulu

By ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – A midwife was abducted in Sulu on Monday, the military said.

Colonel Remigio Valdez, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, said 6 health workers on board an L300 van were initially abducted by a group of armed men in Barangay Liang, Patikul town at 3:15 p.m.

The armed men eventually released five of the victims, and only took off with 54-year-old midwife Rosalyn Kiram.

Valdez said the military tried to rescue Kiram, but to no avail. He said the local government has formed a task force for the immediate rescue of the midwife.

Four of the five released health workers were Hurul-in Alih, 39; Evelyn Dugasan, 43; Abinnasar Ahajani, 24; and Alhadznie Baiting, 21. They were on their way to Jolo when they were abducted.

Regional police chief Felicisimo Khu believes terrorist group Abu Sayyaf was behind the abduction.

Khu said initial investigation revealed that Minok Sappari, a known member of Abu Sayyaf, led the armed men.

The military, however, said it has yet to confirm reports that the terrorist group was indeed behind the abduction. It will also investigate why the rebels decided to release the five health workers. – with a report from RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga

Indian captive killed by Al-Qaeda linked terror group in Philippines

By story.philippinetimes.com


A terrorist group in Philippines has reportedly executed an Indian man who had been held captive for over nine months.

According to Philippine authorities, the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf in the southern province of Sulu, killed 36-year-old Biju Kolara Veetil, even though his Filipina wife, Elena Asanji, paid a ransom to the terrorist group.

Authorities said the group was holding Veetil with Malaysian hostage Mohammad Nasaruddin Bensaidin who was reportedly released after a ransom was paid for him.

The reason for the killing Veetil is unknown, The Age reports.

Antonio Freyra, the Sulu provincial police chief, said intelligence reports indicated that Veetil had been killed "but we need to get a confirmation from his wife or find his body."

According to the paper, another faction of the Abu Sayaaf on Basilan Island is holding Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell, 52.

There has been no confirmation about his fate since kidnappers sent a video to his wife a few days before Christmas in which he pleaded with his family to raise a 2 million dollar ransom. (ANI)

Troops capture Sayyaf leader in Sulu

By philstar.com


COTABATO, Philippines -- Security forces captured a top leader of Abu Sayyaf group while on a surveillance mission for a nabbed Chinese-Filipino trader Sulu, police said today.

The suspect, Jeri Jeheron, also known as "Black Tungkang," was arrested on Tuesday in the downtown of Jolo in the province of Sulu, said Director Felicisimo Khu of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao.

"He was on a surveillance of a Chinese trader from Tawi-Tawi when he was captured by authorities," Khu said.

Jeheron, who is facing kidnapping with ransom issued by a local court, has a 3.3-million-peso (70,420 U.S. dollars) bounty for his arrest.

The Abu Sayyaf is a militant group founded in the 1990s and has perpetrated a number of high- profile attacks, including kidnapping, bombing and beheading. The Philippine military estimates the group, which has links with external terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida, has less than 400 members.

Abducted Sulu bgy chief rescued

By Zaida delos Reyes-Palanca


A VILLAGE chief who was abducted by 12 armed men was safely released the other day in Indanan, Sulu.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. identified the victim as Rodimar Tingkahan, 35, village chief of Poblacion, Parang, Sulu.

Reports reaching Camp Crame showed the victim was released at around 1 p.m. on March 8 in Bgy. Pasil, Indanan, Sulu.

It was learned that the release of Tingkahan materialized due to the effort of Indanan Mayor Sarripudin Jikiri and Indanan former Rep. Yusop Jikiri and other village officials.

Cruz said elements of the Indanan and Paranga Municipal Police Stations proceeded to the area to pursue the recovery and safe release of the victim.

The victim was brought to the Indanan Provincial Hospital for medical treatment and debriefing before he was turned over to his family. .

Village chieftain abducted in Sulu now free and unharmed–police

By Jamie Marie Elona

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—The 35-year-old village chieftain abducted by armed men in Sulu last Tuesday was released two days later unharmed, a Philippine National Police spokesman said Friday. Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said Poblacion village chairman Rodimar Tingkahan was found by authorities “alone and unharmed” at the vicinity of Barangay (village) Pasil, Indanan, Sulu around 7 a.m. Thursday. Reports said Tingkahan, who was then on-board his vehicle, was flagged down and kidnapped by 12 armed men along Sapah Malaun village around 2 p.m. Tuesday for still unidentified reason. Cruz Jr. said the victim was brought to Sulu Provincial Police Office for debriefing, and subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment. The family of the victim requested that he be turned over to his father and uncle, retired Superintendent Rugis Tingkahan and former Assemblyman Garcia Tingkahan.

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.

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