On the Bangsamoro Question--dismantle the instruments of war by making Muslim Filipinos feel the concern and love of government

Since the establishment of a Sultanate around the 14th century in those islands of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, the Muslims of these territories were mostly traders. Sulu was the center of regional trade between these islands and Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. Westerners also trade with them, including the British, Dutch, Spanish and Americans.

When the Americans came, they unleashed war in these territories, and caused the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Tausugs. Worse, due to the intense regionalism felt by Maranaos and Maguindanao-ans, all the more fueled by the Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) strategy employed by the Americans, the Sultanate of Sulu came under the political control of the Americans and placed within Philippine territory and thus, became a province under the Republic of the Philippines.

During the time of Magsaysay, government encouraged Filipinos from the North and from the islands of the Visayas to occupy certain lands in Mindanao. It was then that conflicts arose when greedy speculators seized the lands of the Bangsamoros. It thus led to interracine fighting which occurs up to this day.

Bangsamoros are fighting for their land. As written in the Noble Qu'ran, land is one of the blessings of ALLAH SWT and fighting for the right to possess and occupy when provoked by outside forces, is a holy right and one of the conditions for jihad.

Until now, most Tausugs do not recognize the right of the Republic of the Philippines to exercise political, social and economic control over their lands. And I understand why. How would you shore up trust with the Republic when at the time of Marcos, instead of extending to them economic opportunities, the Tausugs got war instead. From the seventies until now, there has been numerous encounters and wars and conflicts in these parts of the South that has scarred it for life. Generations upon generations of Muslims in these parts have not felt the concern of the government, hence it stymied economic development in the area which caused the people to be perpetually bonded and enslaved by political dynasties which exploit the poverty of the people.

To liberate the Tausugs, they must struggle against these forces which are being perpetuated by the government. The problem of the Muslims in the South is not what kind of governance model they should be under--it is the lack of opportunities to live under the precepts of their religion that allows this never-ending cycle of violence in their communities.

For a pious Muslim, life is simply a life lived according to Islam. When this life is disrupted, jihad follows. It is in the DNA of every Muslim to fight for what is Right, condemn what is Wrong and raise the banner of Allah SWT, every single moment of his life.

To solve the Bangsamoro problem, there should be a conscious effort by government and assisted by civil society and the private sector for the Tausugs and the rest of the Bangsamoro Nation to show the concern and sincerity of government that these institutions are aiming to:

1. Create a stabilized environment in the South, dismantle the causes of conflicts, de-mobilize the mechanisms of war, and re-model an economic system that suits the Muslims living in Mindanao.

2. Assist SMEs in these areas through government securities and investments. Grow this sector by allowing more banks to extend loan services to basic sectors, particularly SMEs and traders.

3. Dismantle political dynasties thru a series of political actions meant to empower groups instead of individuals to ascend the rungs of power in the regional and provincial levels. The type of governance model should be consultative, with one Sultan representing the interests of all Muslims in the area. It should be called a confederation of sultanates---the Sultanates of Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao, the traditional sultanates which until now, are recognized by all Muslims there as their own.

4. Institutionalising components for change thru government intervention, allowing the growth of organs of power and ensuring strict compliance of Shariah, the body of laws respected by every Muslim.

Insstead of turning these areas once more into a magnet for regional jihad, the Duterte administration should begin re-inventing the wheel so to speak, and promote and provide lasting solutions to this age-old problem in the South.

Instead of war, let our government talk with the stakeholders there. Exhaust all possible means for peace. Then, if these solutions are still ineffective, then, create peace thru war.

Zamboanga standoff near to resolution, but how about Basilan?

What really happened between Vice President Jejomar Binay and the President? Binay has been receiving a lot of flak for allegedly representing government in negotiations with the MNLF without the expressed approval of the President and the crisis committee. Binay reportedly had back-door negotiations with Nur Misuari, his classmate at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

When the palace team handling the Zamboanga crisis reportedly disagreed with what Binay did, the Vice president hurriedly left for Manila shortly after announcing a so-called "ceasefire". That "ceasefire" declaration was rebuffed by the palace. Binay allegedly wanted to facilitate the safe passage of the MNLF rebels from Zamboanga. This, however, ran contrary to what government intended which is to resolve the issue using arms. Aquino wanted nothing more than decimate the MNLF ranks through military means.

The President is still in Zamboanga reportedly leading the troops to clear the area of rebels. It has been two weeks, and the military operations seemed destined towards victory. Nearly a hundred rebels were captured or have surrendered. Scores have been killed while several others managed to escape.

Honestly, what the military is doing right now in Zamboanga can be described as a pyrrhic victory. Yes, they dealt the MNLF a serious blow in their engagement in Zamboanga, at the cost of affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Zamboangenos. Eighty five thousand evacuees now populate various evacuation centers in the city. More than a hundred civilians were either killed or injured.

There seems to be no news on what is happening in Basilan, where fighting rages between government forces and the rebels, led by a combined force of the MNLF, the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

There is a possibility that this conflict will spread in other areas of the region, particularly in Jolo and Basilan, two strongholds of the MNLF. It seems that Aquino will still be busy containing the conflicts in Mindanao.

Worse, this could likewise be used by regional terrorists to "make their presence felt"and transform Mindanao into a regional magnet of Islamic fundamentalist forces. The Aquino administration clearly underestimated the long term effects of this conflict. Yes, the AFP will eventually win and flush out the remaining MNLF rebels in the area. The question is---for how long?

Noynoyism in hostage situations

We are bringing the "no negotiation" stance in hostage situations to the brink of stupidity. What governments say is not "no negotiations", but "no ransom demands" to hostage takers. President Aquino and his advisers must be extremely misinformed on the handling of this recent spate of kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf Group. The policy is not "no negotiations" but not entertain ransom demands from this terrorist group.


This stupid policy of this present administration, of not negotiating the release of seven foreign hostages of the Abu Sayyaf Group is plain old "Noynoyism" at its best. Doing absolutely nothing is not consistent with other government's policy on kidnappings. The policy is continue negotiating but without succumbing to the bandit groups' demands for ransom. 


We don't see or hear the military deploying its best men to scour the jungles of Jolo for the hostages. We even don't hear any attacks on known ASG lairs. And there is no one negotiating for the safe release of the hostages. What does these tell us?


It goes to show how useless government is right now. It can't even help citizens hostaged much less foreigners. How, the hell will we convince foreigners to go here, when government is totally incapacitated from its sworn duty of protecting every single human living or visiting its territory?


Worse, even this government is portraying a foreign journalist as a liability when I was informed that the "mission" of this Jordanian journalist is simply expose the truth happening in Jolo. Of course, foreign governments of these hostaged or kidnapped tourists want a truthful report of the state of health of their citizens. How will they get such information when no one in the government side wants to negotiate with the ASG?


Will this government wait for someone to die first before it acts? This is like the Rizal hostage drama once again, this time, replicated in an isolated island somewhere in the Sulu sea. Governemnt is trying to contain an "uncontrollable" situation. Government will fail eventually especially if someone dies or is executed by this bandit group.


Is the government right now totally helpless in solving a problem like the ASG?

Failure in intelligence seen in Basilan massacre

Demoralization has indeed set in among the ranks, and quite understandably so. Several sources revealed that most soldiers are dismayed with the decision of the political leadership. However, some junior officers whom I was able to share lunch with, have a different perspective: they agree with the decision of the President not to declare war. For one, it is foolhardy for the AFP to attack now since the enemy expects such a retaliatory move and two, war would inevitably worsen the situation.


Come to think of it, this is the second time that soldiers were massacred in that area. It is not that there was a lapse in communicating their presence with MILF and warlords in that place--it is utter stupidity for someone to order an amphibious attack against a well-prepared enemy. The AFP should have known better since several years ago, a group of Marines were killed and beheaded by the enemy in that same place. 


That supposed dawn operation should not have taken place. It was the responsibility of the ground commander to assess the situation first on the ground, before any order of attack. Why would you order such a mission, knowing fully well that you're entering an enemy territory. It is always presumed that an enemy territory has more firepower and enjoys a tactical advantage. Why would you order a group of specialists to go there in the area in surreptitious mode, knowing that such an action would merit a disastrous retaliation?


These groups in Basilan are territorial. They are always on the lookout for strangers or what they term as mushrikuns in their area. It is already common knowledge that outsiders are killed or executed not just in Basilan but also in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. When I covered Sulu a decade ago, Tagalog-speaking soldiers and policemen are mowed down even by the common people when they enter markets to buy food. 


Good intelligence is the best means of avoiding such disasters. And of course, common sense. 

Golf Putsch

A handful of active military generals and some businessmen have revived their Camp Aguinaldo golfing sessions. Not that they don't have anything to do. Fact is, these people are so rich, they have time to waste for some nice rounds in the fairways of this military camp.

And they are not talking about those hot and sizzling billboards of Angel Locsin along C-5 and that in Balintawak. They are talking about the future of this country.

A source, one of those privy to these golf sessions, revealed to this writer that these generals are planning to install a military government. Yes, a quasi-dictatorship. They already have their plans laid out but the question that remains to them is very, very simple---when and how to counter-act the expected public outrage that this action of theirs will result to.

These men are fond of the Lady by the murky waters of the Pasig. She serves as a willing bimbo, a foil, to mask their acts.  They have benefitted immensely through their friendship with the Lady. They owe their stars to Madame. And they're extremely confident of success since they have an ideologue backing them up.

This ideologue commands a vast army of intellectuals who are convinced that the next government should strictly be a Council of hand-picked civilians and military men. They cannot accept the fact that their poster girl will now retire in a barrio called Lubao. Without their poster girl, the real powers and shakers will be revealed. They will lose their foil. Plus of course, her husband seemed content in his role as a backroom operator of willing puppets hungry for power and of course, money.

And why are they interested of running this country of 90 million Filipinos? Simple. This administration has laid out so many projects, costing billions of dollars. This is the pot. This is what they are after. And with the prospects of a vast field of oil in Sulu and Palawan, they cannot allow others to benefit from this huge booty. Plus, of course, the prospect of billions worth of dollars more coming from foreign investors.

This country has a huge economic prospect but a very weak government. The weakness of this government is being exploited by the uber rich down to the janitor. There is no strong hegemon that keeps the peace. They see themselves as that Power.

What will they do in the next couple of weeks?

First, they will intensify the war in Mindanao. Yesterday, the AFP already said that within 60 days they will do all they can to annihilate the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). While the war simmers in Sulu and Basilan, these will effectively hide the REAL ACTION IN MINDANAO, which is the government spending spree amounting to 10 BILLION PESOS. Obviously, media will shift their attention. Instead of talking about this anomaly, they will cover war.

Second, bombings and assassinations will also intensify in various parts of the country. And lastly, they will then pay some media professionals to counter-act their enemies.

Net---we have an intra-elite war in the offing. Brace yourselves my friends,this is quite messy, and possibly, bloody.

US troops fired upon civilians after Jolo Blast?

An improvised explosive device (or some believe to be a grenade) exploded at the Jolo wharf today, while US troops were reportedly unloading equipment from a boat. Major Ramon David Hontiveros, spokesman for the Philippine military's Western Mindanao command said the blast occurred late Monday.

Hontiveros denied reports that the blast was caused by a powerful EID since no bomb fragments were found. The explosion happened near a military detachment adjacent to a building where stalls are selling electronic appliances and textiles. No one was hurt in the explosion.

What was worrisome were some accounts alleging that US troops reportedly fired upon civilians shortly after the bomb went off. Automatic gunfire hit a nearby mosque and small buildings. Civilian sources say, US troops indeed opened fire and bullet holes are still seen in the area.

This was denied by the military. The US embassy has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

US troops have been stationed in Jolo for many years now. They have a base inside the Jolo Military camp, but is off-limits to Filipino soldiers.

The AFP has since denied US troop involvement in the fight against the renegade terror group, the Abu Sayyaf. However, the Philippine defense department admitted that US troops have provided valuable intelligence information about the whereabouts of Abu Sayyaf Group members.

The Philippine Constitution prohibits the interference of foreign troops in local interacine or insurgency wars in its territory.

Basilan fighting leaves 23 soldiers dead while Palace plans to buy 1 billion jet plane

“How many more wives will lose their husbands, how many more children will
lose their fathers, how many more will be next? How many more soldiers will
sacrifice their lives for a war without end?”
-----quote from a wife who lost her husband

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is going to Zamboanga for a command conference. She wanted to know what happened why twenty three soldiers died while scores of others injured when fighting broke out between AFP forces and Bangsamoro rebels in Tipo-Tipo Basilan.

While Arroyo tries to commisserate with the soldiers, a palace spokesperson revealed that the palace intends to buy a billion peso airplane while field soldiers suffer from lack of equipment and ammo.

The AFP blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when some of them ambushed the reinforcement of those Marines who first attacked the camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group, an international terror group. Eighteen Marines died in that encounter.

Without that ambush, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said, the soldiers would have overwhelmed the 20 or so Abu Sayyaf Group rebels in the area. The AFP is planning to file a complaint before the Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities but Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon already said that the incident was an "isolated" one and does not affect the proposed peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

Of the 21 recovered bodies of the rebels, eleven of them were members of the 114th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The fighting began when soldiers staged an attack at the camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Barangay Silangkum, a known ASG lair. Based on AFP intelligence, the place was a bomb training camp.

Based on accounts, the soldiers were surprised when they spotted ASG members already waiting for them. Fierce close and hand-to-hand fighting began in the morning and lasted up to the wee hours of the night. Reinforcements were sent but these too were ambushed, this time, according to accounts, from combined elements of the MILF and the ASG. When the smoke of the fighting cleared, 23 soldiers lay dead, most with hack wounds and scores injured.

This is the worst war casualty so far sustained by the Philippine military in the fight against Bangsamoro rebels in Mindanao.

Vagni beheaded by ASG?

Was Eugenio Vagni, the last remaining International Red Cross volunteer kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo executed last June 13? There are persistent reports that Albader Parad, an ASG sub-commander, reportedly beheaded Vagni, a few hours after a bloody encounter with the military which resulted to the death of one of Dr. Abu's son. Parad's wife and brother were also killed.

Vagni was reportedly buried in a shallow grave somewhere in Indanan Sulu. The last time that Vagni was reported alive was on June 2, the day he last called his wife.

A member of the Bangsamoro Civil Society said that Vagni's death could be true since attacks from the military have intensified. Probably, that led to the ASG surmising that government is not concerned with the safety of Vagni anymore.

Vagni has been held hostage for more than six months already. Talks have bogged down between government emisaries and the ASG.

The last encounter between the ASG and the military resulted to the death of seven Marines and about 15 suspected ASG members.

Is this the reason why Mrs. Arroyo hurriedly left for Japan and why the military intensified its military operations against the bandits?

For the latest Philippine and Asian news and updates visit Filipino Times at http://filipinotimes.wordpress.com.

Part 2: The Arlyn dela Cruz Kidnapping

In Part two of the interviews, Philippine journalist Arlyn dela Cruz talks about the root causes of the Sulu problem. She explains why people in Jolo continues to defy government forces in their island province.

Arlyn talks from experience, she having covered Sulu since the beginning of the Abu Sayyaf Group or the Al Harakatul Al Islamiyah. Arlyn explains that those Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members are doing propaganda campaigns to highlight the sad plight of the Tausugs, the majority group in Jolo, Sulu.

For centuries, Bangsamoros have been fighting for a separate homeland. Tausugs are part of this Bangsamoro homeland. In the 1970s, a young Tausug professor by the name of Nur Misuari established the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). This force grew and led the anti-Marcos armed rebellion in the South which killed hundreds of thousands of Filipinos. In the 1990s, Misuari entered into negotiations with the Ramos administration. Some parts of Mindanao were turned into the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). ARMM was an experiment in self-government.

Lack of support, scarcity of funds and unfulfilled promises from the national government weakened the ARMM. With the weakening of ARMM, Islamic dissident groups reinvigorated the Bangsamoro movement in Mindanao. A branch from the MNLF broke off and became what is now known as the ASG or the Abu Sayyaf Group (formal name Al Harakatul Al Islamiya or the Bearers of the Sword).

The ASG was founded by an USTADZ, an Islamic scholar named Abdurajak Janjalani, who fought side by side with the Afghans in the Afghan-Russia war. When the Russians were annihilated, Janjalani went back to his native Bangsamoro land and formed the ASG, along with some Muslim engineers and Islamic scholars.

The elder Janjalani was killed by police in Zamboanga, believed to have been betrayed by a Muslim convert, Edwin Angeles (also killed in Zamboanga City). The brother of Janjalani assumed the leadership and led the ASG's most famous hostage capers. He has since been killed by government forces, along with original ASG members such as Commander Robot, Commander Abu Sabaya and others. Only Dr. Abu remains.

ASG has a new emir by the name of Yasser Igasan, a staunch believer of Islam and a very religious man. Igasan is said to have assumed the leadership of the group and made it closer with the regional terror group, Jemaah Islamiyah.

Arlyn dela Cruz saw the birth of the ASG and was there as a close spectator when it grew into what it is now---the most feared, and the most dreaded jihadist group in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Mrs. Arroyo's Secret Negotiator

Mrs. Arroyo's birthday came and went without a whimper from the Abu Sayyaf Group regarding their two remaining foreign hostages. Philippine senator and administration ally Richard Gordon on Saturday said the fate of these hostages depend on Mrs. Arroyo. He was quickly rebuked by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro who countered that government should not be bullied by these "thugs", even suggesting that government should pursue its initial plan, that is, make an assault. No word from the kidnappers, who, says Gordon, remain open to negotiations although it's apparent that Dick is now out of the loop. Government announced that it has a new negotiator. And that new negotiator happens to be....Cong. Yusof Jikiri.

Unknown to many, Jikiri has been working for the release of the hostages. He's the palace silent operator. He tapped his brother, Al Gafur Jikiri to be his link with the ASG. Jikiri is widely respected in Jolo as a religious scholar and it is believed that Yasser Igasan listens to him. Igasan, by the way, is the ASG's recognized Amir. Another ASG head, the person whom the military calls "Dr. Abu" also listens to Jikiri.

The name "Jikiri" is not an unfamiliar name. During the time of Erap, Jikiri was also tapped as a government negotiator, having served in Misuari's MNLF force during the anti-Marcos war. Jikiri is a former MNLF commander, highly respected in Sulu and the rest of Mindanao.

Jikiri is also close to Sulu governor Abdul Sakur Tan. As this is being written, constant back and forth and back-channelling are being done to reach an agreement for the release of the remaining hostages. And the chances are very good. There is a possibility that Notter and Vagni would be released within this week.

Now, if Tan is right, then, this shows that the influence of the Singaporean militant who is believed to be with the group is slowly waning. For this JI member, beheading these two high-profile and valued hostages is the final and right option.

If this is correct, then, what Sulu Vice Governor Lady Nurhanna said is right---most of the members of the ASG want to turn a new leaf. They want a livelihood program set for them. This also belies the fact that this branch of the ASG is really the military-controlled one since their acts are dissimilar with the previous history of the group.

This is getting deeper my friends. There is that possibility that some members of the military is manipulating this hostage taking and for what? A synchronized move? For what?

BY the way, a former ASG hostage victim reacted in one of my entries here. If you're reading this, send me an email at mangubat.patricio@gmail.com. I'll be happy to post whatever you want to say.

ICRC workers' lives in extreme danger

Two of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo's lieutenants are bickering over the Sulu ICRC Hostage crisis. Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro castigated Senator Richard Gordon, an ally of Arroyo, for saying that the lives of the hostages are now in the hands of the president. This rabid administration dog wanted to shield his boss from brickbats later on. However, this betrays the real intention of the government.

Teodoro does'nt feel like talking with the hostages. For him, enough concessions have already been given. It's not for Gordon. For the head of the Philippine Red Cross, a troop pullout is needed to allow negotiations to continue. An inch of pullback would be enough to allow representatives of the ASG and the government to negotiate for the safe release of the two ICRC hostages, Notter and Vagni.

This is a very dangerous play these two jerks are playing. They're putting the very lives of these ICRC workers in extreme jeopardy. By bickering in public, they're both justifying the use of force and they're both telling us to just accept the terrible consequence later on. They are priming for an attack against the ASG.

What these government officials don't know is they're both playing in the hands of the ASG. Their public bickering would justify what the ASG wanted all along---behead the hostages and show the world that they mean business. They did it before and they're willing to do it again moreso now that even the Pope is watching the developments in that part of Mindanao.

Wittingly or unwittingly, these two government officials have now placed the very lives of these foreign hostages in extreme jeopardy. I would'nt be surprised if we get news that one of the two have already been executed.

Government want an assault. They want to feed on the machismo, the bravado and the confidence of the commander on the ground, to the detriment of the hostages and their families.

Actually, even prior to the release of Lacaba, government has planned for an assault. They want to show the world that they can defeat the ASG by the use of force, consistent with the US policy. They want to show Washington that Mrs. Arroyo is tough against terror.

This justifies what I have earlier wrote here----the government of Mrs. Arroyo, especially those hawks within the palace, want negotiations to fail to justify an armed encounter with the bandit group. This is just a palabas, a show, meant to appease their bosses over at the Pentagon and the State Department. Mrs. Arroyo wants to sacrifice the lives of the International Red Cross workers to show the US that it is serious in fighting intransigent elements in the country.

I say it again, what these jerks intend to do is based on a misreading of the situation.

Dangers Ahead---Macabre birthday gift to Mrs. Arroyo

Senator Richard Gordon yesterday left the fate of the two foreign hostages, Notter and Vagni in the hands of Philippine president Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The senator just wanted to be clear---he already did his part and it is now up to the higher-ups to avert an international incident that a beheading might create. Gordon said that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has not lifted its ultimatum, that is, behead one hostage. And the dangers are there. The ASG went ahead of schedule when they did that in 2002. They beheaded an American tourist in June 12, 2002 as a gift to Mrs. Arroyo. And they can still do that.

What escapes Mrs. Arroyo and her hawks inside the palace is this---the world tolerated government insensitivity in 2002 precisely because Mrs. Arroyo was just "new at the job". Uncanny still, this newest hostage crisis happened at the twilight of her rule. Such a macabre coincidence, I might say. If the ASG beheads one of the hostages, possibly the injured one, Mrs. Arroyo enjoys the reputation as the only president in the annals of Philippine history to be given two "macabre" gifts during her reign---one at the start and the other, at the twilight of her administration.

It's different now since there's a new US president who has shown insensitivity to Mrs. Arroyo before. If a beheading happens in Sulu, surely, that would further heighten the "bad rep" already being enjoyed by Mrs. Arroyo over at Washington. That would be a sign for the US State department to support moves against Mrs. Arroyo since it would validate the perception that the Philippine government remains as the weakest link in the anti-terror fight in the region.

A beheading would surely boast the morale of mujaheddins and jihadists all over the world. It would serve as a beacon for a renewed fight against the West. Wittingly or unwittingly, Mrs. Arroyo would take a part of this, since it would be under her administration that such a thing would happen.

So, now, before Mrs. Arroyo blows her 62nd birthday candle, her advisers should remind her to show resolve and decide this thing today. Order a temporary pullout. If not, then, be ready to explain to the world why this beheading happened. Then, prepare and pack your suitcase already Mrs. Arroyo and head off to Portugal.

Arroyo's Real Agenda in Mindanao

As what I wrote in an earlier entry, the Abu Sayyaf Group extended the deadline for the beheading of the three Red Cross hostages. Many sources say that the ASG will be releasing their hostages very soon.

However, there are also reports saying that the reason why the ASG is demanding troop pullout is that there is a big contingent of foreign trained fighters coming to Jolo. Expecting a big fight soon? Reports also reveal that big shipments of arms and ammunition were seen at the Jolo docks. Both groups, the AFP and the ASG preparing for a showdown?

Does this mean that the AFP and their agents are preparing for a showdown to justify Mrs. Arroyo's term extension? Is this part of the plan to justify the State of Emergency, to start in Jolo and then spillover to the rest of Mindanao?

Governor Sakur Tan's interview last night revealed much about government's real plan---an assault against the ASG meant to further fuel the war in Mindanao.

An Appeal to Release the Red Cross Volunteers

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah!

Bismillahi Rahmanir Raheem

It has been months since the Al Harakatul Al Islamiyah or what we popularly know as the Abu Sayyaf Group kidnapped the three Red Cross aid workers in Jolo, Sulu.

There are reports that the military has engaged the ASG members in a gunbattle. An alleged wire report says that newly designated ASG spokesperson Al Bader Parad has been wounded.

I appeal to our Muslim brothers holding these three aid workers, especially to Ustadz Yasser Igasan, the new Amir of the Al Harakatul Al Islamiya to release them immediately.

You are placing innocent lives in danger. If you want to engage the military into open confrontation in the name of the Banner of Islam, then, do so without compunction.

However, not at the expense of these Red Cross aid workers who simply were there in Jolo, Sulu to take care of the welfare of our fellow Muslim brothers and Muslimah.

It does not bode well for the Banner of Islam to be associated with such activities. Better if the Slaves of Allah kidnap combatants; not those involved in humanitarian work.

If any one of you could point to me any Surah in the Noble Qu'ran or even in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that justifies these, then, let him come forward and say it openly.

The Banner of Islam is pure. It is a struggle against evil. It does not justify any action taken against innocents.

ASG escaped a tight military dragnet? Probe this Teodoro!

Something tells me that it will only be a few more weeks, maybe even two, before the Abu Sayyaf Group finally release their Red Cross captives.

Recent news confirms fears that these captives have been broken up into two groups--one ASG unit holding the Filipina engineer volunteer while the other, in a more secure place, holding the two Italian Red Cross workers.

Question--how did the ASG managed to break up their captives into two groups inspite of the alleged "tight military dragnet" thrown at them by the AFP?

Just recently, ASG sub-commander and appointed spokesperson Albader Parad went on air, and asked that the military withdraw its troops near their camps, which was rejected flatly by the AFP. Don't tell me that after that televised exchange, the AFP finally succumbed to the ASG demands?

Government should investigate this. It's highly uncanny for the ASG, which the military described as "trapped" already in one place, to again, move to another location, even further complicating the already confused and complicated hostage crisis.

Was there another "compromise" with the military, given that the ASG reportedly demanded 50 million pesos as ransom?

Muslimin Sema, one of the Tausug MNLF commanders and now part of government, told Mindanao journalists that the ASG is asking for 50 million pesos as ransom. No official statement has been heard from the ASG on this amount.

What is certain, given a study on the movements of the Abu Sayyaf Group in recent past, is when they break up their hostages into groups, it is either they are preparing for an open battle with the AFP; or they are in near completion of their negotiations with government or non-government emisaries. Something tells me that these captives are now being prepared to be released.

The question everybody is asking is this---who convinced the ASG to release the Red Cross workers and for how much?

Something tells me, these captives were given as "gifts" to buttress the announcement of a presidential bid. Whose bid?

ASG should release all Red Cross Volunteers

Former MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari was, I think, twice repulsed in entering the Abu Sayyaf camp holding the International Red Cross volunteers.

Albader Parad, the leader of the ASG group, refused to recognize the authority of Misuari. Yet, earlier, Parad and the rest of the ASG leadership recognized an emissary from the Office of the Governor. Strange, is'nt?

One thing--Misuari's influence has waned since he compromised the position of the Bangsamoro People in relation to peace efforts there. His own people cut him off when he failed to make significant headway as chairman of the ARMM.

As Muslims, they should have at least gave Misuari some saving face measure by sending a note why they think Misuari should not be allowed to enter their camp.

This impasse is getting longer and getting confused as the ASG refused to negotiate. The negotiating panel should, I think, succumb to requests from the ASG to drive the military away from their main camp. That should, at least, be viewed as a good sign that the government side is willing to negotiate.

What is surprising in this one is the alleged absence of any ransom demands. What is the goal of the ASG? To squeeze enough media mileage and for what? To gain international status again? And for what?

Interestingly enough, the Lady Vice Governor was allowed inside the camp, but Misuari was not. That gives us some inkling how people there in Jolo think about politics, or how they think about all of these caper.

The ASG should release all their captives immediately. Why?

First, this does not help the Cause of Islam in any significant way. Better if they kidnapped an American soldier. Better if they held hostage some high government official there. But, members of the International Red Cross? That says much on the purity of their struggle.

The Banner of Islam is ever besmirched by the acts of some who mistakenly view the True Message of Allah SWT as a struggle which includes getting the innocents involved in the Cause of Islam.

How to handle a true Abu Sayyaf kidnap coverage

As a former journalist who covered the Sipadan and the Dos Palmas kidnapping capers by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and survived, let me give those colleagues of mine some tips on how to handle this situation:

1. If you're assigned in Jolo, it is best to live inside the PNP camp, a few meters away from the city center or the capitol town. The camp is gated. It is safer there.

2. Now, if you don't have money to spend in the air-conditioned rooms of the PNP camp, try Helen's lounge. It's cheap. It's decent and clean. However, one tip---when you wake up in the morning and you find kids asking for alms or food, give them some money. And be consistent. Make friends everywhere, even in the Jolo public market (the public market is a place where Christians just find themselves shot in the head, especially if you're a soldier or a cop).

3. Keep your distance. There are many people who will approach you and will offer assistance or information on the whereabouts of the victims. Don't be misled. These people are scammers. If the contact is legit, you'll know by your gut.

4. Never give in to the lures or demands of the kidnappers. When I covered the Sipadan hostage crisis, a known contact from the ASG demanded from us ten (10) sacks of rice as "fee" to cover the foreign hostages. I simply said no. I just reasoned that if I give 10 sacks of rice, then, the group will have food to eat and that will simply prolong the situation, ergo, I just have to stay there in Jolo longer than usual.

5. Try to understand the local culture. There are many former Christians now Muslims living in the town center. They speak Tagalog. Befriend them. Buy something from their stores. Be curious about their thoughts. Ask them the reason why all these things are happening in Jolo. Then, file your reports.

6. Live as they live. The Jolo town center teems with ASG spies and sympathizers. In fact, you'll find two kinds of people in Jolo---those legit ASG's and military spies. They mingle with the population. They pose as your friends, when they are simply spying on you. Always be attentive and mindful of your surroundings. Try to prevent from being spied on and listed as a prospective victim.

7. Never agree to go to the ASG camp. This is a very bad move. Okey if you're deeply trusted by the ASG. But, if you're not and your just there for a brief moment, don't sacrifice your life for that exclusive. It's always best to just get your news from the AFP and civilian sources. But, getting first-hand info? Nah. That's just a coverage. Not worthy to give your life to.

8. Don't get caught between crossfires. Stay clear of military operations, unless you are allowed and the military thinks that it's safe for you to cover it. Safety is your utmost concern. Don't embarrass yourself, your family and your news company if something happens to you. Publicly, they'll not reprimand you. Privately, getting injured or killed when there's actually a safer way to get the info is at most, stupid or worst, reckless.

AFP-backed ASG behind Red Cross Kidnapping?

Sulaiman Te, the notorious sub-commander of the Abu Sayyaf Group, is reportedly the one leading the group of eight men who seized three aid workers of the International Red Cross in Jolo Capital, Sulu Philippines. Sulaiman, as reports say, is also the one who masterminded the kidnapping of ABS-CBN anchorperson Ces Orena Drilon. Latest reports reveal that the victims and their kidnappers are somewhere in the hinderlands of either Patikul or Talipao, two strongholds of the dreaded terror group.

This is actually the fifth time that the so-called terrorist organisation staged a kidnapping of foreigners visiting the island of Jolo. The first time was the Sipadan hostage crisis. It was followed by the Dos Palmas kidnapping, then the Schilling kidnapping. The kidnapping of an Italian priest was also attributed to the Abu Sayyaf Group. Then, this. So, all in all, there are at least five times that the ASG successfully staged a kidnapping of foreigners.

As a former journalist who covered the Sipadan and Dos Palmas hostage crises and an academic interested in the resolution of the problems in Mindanao, I've noticed something very important:

1. First, all recent kidnappings after 2001 have been short-lived affairs. Why is it important to point this out? Because if the group behind the kidnapping is serious in milking every propaganda or publicity value from these events, they will prolong the kidnapping. The Sipadan crisis took months to resolve. Same as the one in Dos Palmas and the Schilling incident. Simply put, if they are serious in showing their solidarity with Al Qaeda, the ASG always squeeze every publicity out of the kidnapping and prolong the time to also lengthen their media mileage.

Second, the kidnappings in 2000 were all propaganda stunts. Unlike the previous high profile ones staged by the notorious group of supposed bandits, the Italian priest and the kidnapping of Ces Drilon lack one signature of the ASG---that of announcing their reason behind the kidnapping caper. Normally, the ASG will issue a statement, saying that this is all about jihad against Christians and "Imperial Manila". For the highly clerical-led ASG in years past, the present ASG did not issue any statement even close to the ones issued by Commander Robot or even that ASG spokesman who reportedly died off the coast of Sulu.

Third recent kidnappings staged by the ASG all involve insinuations of ransom being paid. In previous ones, there were also rumours of ransom. But, these were unfounded insinuations. The Italian priest was released after ransom has been paid. Same with the Ces Drilon kidnapping, money reportedly changed hands.

So we see a distinct difference between the kidnappings done by the ASG in 2000 and those they staged in 2008-2009: new ones are short-lived, lack ideological undertones and always involve money transfers.

What am I saying?

These things indicate or validate earlier prevalent reports from Sulu residents themselves---that the REAL ASG is no more and the group posing now as "ASG" is actually an armed group controlled by the AFP. Why do I reveal this sensitive information now? And what prompted me to reveal this now?

One, as early as 2004 or 2005, there are indications that the AFP already neutralized the core of the ASG with the killing of its spiritual, military and propaganda leaders. Second, the AFP already neutralized old core members of the ASG, including the young contact person of Arlyn dela Cruz. And third, the support base of the ASG has been effectively contained and eliminated by the special ops of the AFP. After the successful arrest of most of its top command, the ASG members simply disappeared, as reports reveal.

So, if the top command is no more and its members scattered or living normal lives in Sulu or in some other parts of Mindanao, who now is this group claiming to be "ASG"? If this group is neither ideological or religious, then, who the hell is this group of this so-called Sulaiman Te who allegedly heads the new ASG?

Just one explanation--this group is a pseudo terror group controlled and being managed by the AFP. Silly or outright illogical? In the military, there is this thing called " special ops." The ASG is one serious underground and special project of the military to flush out the real foreign terrorists making contact with the former ASG.

Funny Twist on Ces kidnapping

At last, one of the TV crew of Ces Drilon has been released--unharmed. Initial reports say government negotiators paid P 2 million for the release of Valderrama. There's also some relief that ABS-CBN 2 is in close and constant contact with Ces Drilon.

And I would like to take this chance to apologize to the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group based in Jolo. It seems that, from the information being gathered so far, the group is not really the ones responsible for this kidnapping caper. No.

Based on current information, there's some credibility to the news that other groups, possibly belonging to a military asset, kidnapped Drilon and blamed it on the ASG. The fact that no statement has been issued by the terror group indicates that they are not really behind the abduction.

Nonetheless, I stand by my earlier posts demanding for the obliteration of the name "Abu Sayyaf". I still believe that Muslims everywhere should do their duty to cleanse the name of Islam in Jolo and those of the kind people of Sulu and the Tausugs.

The "brand name" of the Abu Sayyaf has been tarnished beyond repair. Imagine, every lawless element there could just claim to be Abu Sayyaf members and demand a high ransom.

Preserve the purity of the Bangsamoro struggle by forming another group that would push the idea of independence without resorting to terrorism as a means of struggle.

Erase the Abu Sayyaf from the face of the earth!

Muslims everywhere should fight the Abu Sayyaf Group

Terrorism is condemnable in all its forms— be it an armed attack against innocent civilians or economic terrorism done in the name of profits. There is simply no justification for the use of terror as a mode of struggle by revolutionary groups. Why?

Terrorism dilutes support from mass bases and alienates any revolutionary group from potential support of the powerful neutrals. Revolutions are more of processes, of a series of armed assaults against state security agencies to weaken defenses. These assaults can be undertaken by small, specialized revolutionary units (as what Lenin suggested) or by regular army formations.

The use of urban insurrectionary activities such as bombings and assassinations are to be selectively chosen based on strategic or tactical necessity; never the centerpiece of any war plan. Nowhere do we find revolutionary leaders advocating terror as a mode of struggle. There is simply no place for terrorist actions in the arsenal of tactics employed by genuine revolutionary movements.

Worst, actions that place innocent civilians in harm’s way and done with money in mind are not only condemnable; it is simply abominable. Codes of conduct and ethics still exist even in war. Revolutionary work done in the name of money is pseudo-revolutionary. Terror tactics, such as kidnappings, are works of thugs, of syndicates, not revolutionaries.

That’s why I cannot understand why some of our Muslim brothers allied with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) would even think of supporting the Abu Sayyaf. Those Muslims who do believe in the Abu Sayyaf Group and support them, think. A pious Muslim should not support evil acts even if done by fellow Muslims. Supporting the Abu Sayyaf will not in any way contribute to the furtherance of the Bangsamoro struggle for total independence.

Whatever other Islamic scholars would say about this group, the ASG has no place in the Bangsamoro struggle. The ASG is an aberration, an anomaly of history, a relic pushing for a distorted and un-Islamic interpretation of the holiness of the Moro struggle.

Since it started its kidnapping campaigns against innocent civilians, the purity of its struggle against Philippine imperialism has been tarnished. Islam has ceased to be the ASG’s main ideology. Its members have degenerated into bandits, monsters and thugs, who claim to worship Allah SWT but has since prostrated themselves before the altar of Baal. They have become men who eat their own vomit.

Throughout its years of existence, did this group ever contributed to the success of the Bangsamoro struggle? None. Their actions not only damaged the image and reputation of Moros everywhere—they are mainly responsible for the total degeneration of the correct Islamic life in the island of Jolo.

Inquirer journalist Arlyn dela Cruz reminded us of a conversation she had with a Tausug leader sometime in 2002. That Tausug leader lambasted journalists for writing bad stuff about Muslims in Jolo. He says that journalists are part of the problem since journalists should write something to help Tausugs improve their lives in Jolo.

I pose a question to that Tausug leader—how would we, journalists, or even anybody, write about the beauty of Jolo and even the beauty of Islam when all we see are these thugs masquerading as mujaheddins? What good would come from these stupid kidnapping capers, such as this recent one involving a respected journalist such as Ces Drilon?

Let me also condemn some journalists who blame Ces Drilon for making that trip to Jolo. Do not be misled. We must condemn and use the strongest possible words we can write against the Abu Sayyaf Group who did this cowardly and idiotic kidnapping, not lambast our colleague. Ces Drilon did what she was tasked to do—go after the story.

I urged every pious Muslim to rise up and obliterate the Abu Sayyaf Group from the face of the earth. The only ones, who can cause the death and destruction of this mockery of an Islamic group, should be those who fully understand Islam.

Pray for the help of Allah SWT in erasing this menace from Jolo and if you are dead serious in your struggle against Imperialist Manila, form a new group that would undertake genuine revolution under the Banner of Islam.