ICRC Hostage Release Talks: Designed to fail?

Will Senator and Red Cross Philippines head Richard Gordon go out to the streets and reveal the real truth? That hawks within the palace are trying their best to derail and eventually cause the negotiations to fail re: release of the three ICRC hostages in Sulu?

Reports on the ground show that military men did not honor the order given by their Army Chief and even the alter-ego of the president, Ronnie Puno, to pullout from the area where the hostages are being kept. It was a good thing that Gordon is slowly backing out of this issue because I think he felt that forces are out to worsen the situation instead of ameliorating or resolving the increasing tensions in the area.

When Major General Sabban was effectively removed since he was not in agreement with the palabas of removing troops in the area, a charm offensive ensued with the goal of showing government sincerity on troop pullout. Yet, as reports would show, the AFP did not fully complied with the gentleman's agreement, even releasing news showing that it was the Abu Sayyaf Group whose dilly-dallying and insincere in all of these.

And why is that Lady Vice Governor from Sulu talking as if she's the spokesperson of the ASG? Puno should seriously look at the extent (if there are any) of this Lady Vice Governor's complicity in all of these. In the celebrated Ces Drilon kidnapping, this Lady Vice Governor was in the thick of things and was even photographed counting the ransom money.

What is very evident so far is this:

1. The ASG will not behead their hostages. They will not immediately release them either should they fail to get any assurances of troop pullout from the AFP.

2. The ASG wants to end negotiations. Based on the report of Arlyn dela Cruz, the ASG leadership wants to start hostilities already with the military except that they are being burdened by this kidnapping. All they would be asking is some few funds to launch an all-out offensive against the Philippine military and spark a regional jihad.

Should the government fail in its commitment to pullout troops, the ASG will not, I say again, behead these hostages. Yes, they have a history of violence. Yes, they actually beheaded their hostages during Erap's time. But, I don't believe they will do it now.

What is really disturbing is all of these is being done at the height of anti-charter change sentiments. That the pro-charter change advocates already got 185 votes seemed to me that hawks within the palace and with probably the blessing of Arroyo, are heightening tensions in Mindanao as a diversionary tactic. It's a good strategy though, given that Arroyo and her ilk are expanding and making additional options available for them should they get the shock of their lives that this 185 signatories are just illusory and not really bent on supporting a very unpopular cause.