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.

On the Sulu Question

Watching veteran journalists and colleagues Jim Jalbuena and Tanjunsay over at Pia Hontiveros show "Strictly Politics" over at ANC brings back old memories. Like Jalbuena, I was one of those who covered the Sipadan hostage crisis back in 2000. Jalbuena's accounts brought back memories of those fateful days when hard-core members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnapped foreign vacationers off the Malaysian resort of Sipadan. That incident brought the ASG to the global centerstage of notoriety. The incident lead to a release of all the hostages, but not without paying the ASG some "board and lodgings", allegedly to the tune of 200 million pesos.

So many things happened after that, with some of the foreign hostages recounting their ordeal and even writing about it. Tales of rape, of abuse, of forced starvations, etc., stories which could have happened or could have been just inventions of fertile minds. What's certain though, the ASG lived to scout for other unsuspecting victims, thus started a spree of kidnappings and ransom-paying.

Some say the ASG institutionalized kidnapping in Sulu. They could have. However, kidnappings and abductions are not entirely new in that part of the world. Historically, Muslims kidnap Christians or "outsiders" but not for money. No. At the time of the Spanish rule over these islands, kidnappings were mostly religious or military in nature. Kidnappings were used as leverages especially at the height of wars or skirmishes between hostile forces.

Now, if you look at it, kidnappings have become cottage industries, with young armed groups like the ones who abducted Ces Drilon and her crew, joining the frenzy. Prior to Ces' kidnapping, a Chinese businessman was abducted there and released after paying ransom. Others were also victimized, and the local media did not report about them since these are not high-profile cases.

And you can't entirely blame them. Centuries of neglect and poverty have transformed Sulu from a bustling trading post to a desolate and poor island. Those born in that island faces a bleak future. No job. No life. No comfort. Just a daily struggle to survive.

Sulu is a beautiful gem floating in the tranquil seas. During the Spanish era, Sulu was the center of indigenous Islamic power, with Sayyid Abu Bakr establishing the Sulu Sultanate in 1450, whose power stretched over Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Historically, Mindanao has been the hotbed of an Islamic insurgency. In 1596, the Spanish colonial government launched a pacification campaign, mobilizing 50 ships, 200 Spaniards and 1,500 Christianized Filipinos. It failed. Three years after, Maguindanao datus launched their retaliatory attack, reclaiming Muslim communities from the hands of the Spaniards and even brought back 800 captives to Mindanao.

In 1692, Sultan Kudarat, the supreme Islamic leader in Maguindanao, defeated a Spanish force and even captured its leader. Between 1656 to 1658, Sultan Kudarat led an Islamic army composed of Muslims from Sulu, Ternate, Brunei and Makassar. Succeeding raids in the Visayas forced the Spaniards to retreat in Manila. Sultan Kudarat nearly defeated the Spaniards where it not for the outbreak of civil war between Muslims of Maguindanao and Sulu.

Muslims continued attacks against communities in the Visayas and Luzon, but superior firepower repulsed them. Attacks continue well in the 19th century, where it not for the Americans who even invented the 45-caliber pistol to defeat the Muslims. The establishment of American sovereignty over Mindanao lead to the marginalization of Islamic power. Using superior military technology, the Americans successfully pacified the region and integrated it into the Philippine state.

The American policy of integration was the reason why Muslims stopped their raids against Christian communities in Centtral and Northern Philippines. The Americans respected the culture, traditions and religion of Muslims. They also gave opportunities to Muslim leaders to ascend the rungs of mainstream Philippine life. During the first Philippine Congress, we saw some representation from Mindanao-based Muslims.

The US government also allowed barter trade to flourish in the area, especially in the islands of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi. That's why during those times, Sulu flourished and families there earned enough to sustain a comfortable life.

It was just during the time of strongman Ferdinand Marcos that Tausugs began to rise up against colonial Manila. Barter trade was disallowed and because of the pressures and "tributes" brought by the Lobregats in Zamboanga, trade shifted from Sulu to Zamboanga peninsula. Sulu rose up in revolt, leading to a decades-old war led by the MNLF.

Now, Sulu continues to struggle against the weight of extreme poverty. Many youngsters such as the ones who orchestrated this kidnapping caper, live a life of recklessness and violence. They were raised in a time of repression and economic disfranchisement. The Tausug youths of today live precariously, without hope and full of hatred against those who ruled Manila.

What they don't realize is this---the more they do these stupid things, the more they isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Sulu can't survive without outside help. It's an island. If they continue to isolate themselves, they risk further economic stagnation and poverty.

Government and other groups, especially the United States, should cooperate and assist Suluanons. Give them some development. Give Tausugs some jobs. That way, they will reject the un-Islamic practice of kidnappings and abductions. And hopefully, we will see the complete defeat of the Abu Sayyaf Group in that part of the world.

Dramatic Ending on Ces Kidnapping Caper?

PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. is reportedly in Zamboanga City right now. He's monitoring the situation. There's a lot of buzz that, within the next few days, Ces and her TV crew will be "rescued", courtesy of the PNP. And for what?

For Razon's "senatorial" campaign? Since the start of the year, there are talks that Razon is being primed as a senatorial bet come 2010. I have nothing against Sonny Razon. In fact, he's one of those "nice" guys I would love to see debating against the likes of Lito Lapid who, incidentally celebrated this day as his first day when a bill of his was passed into law (Mark this day--17 June 2008 as the day when Lito Lapid became a legislator). Or, it would amuse us even further to see Razon debating against the erudite Miriam, probably even daring Miriam to go jump over that fabled bridge in Sta. Ana Manila.

Seriously, there's something brewing out there and I think that within the next few days, we will see Razon escorting a tired and stressed out Ces to be presented in Malacanan. Ces has become hot property right now, thanks to a "silent" media. Despite legitimate appeals from Malacanang and Teresita Ang-See, journalists still scrambled to go to Sulu and Zamboanga to cover Ces' kidnapping.

I am sure that within the next few days, Ces, his cameraman and Prof. Dimampo will be released by their young captors. Like those before her, Ces will be hauled immediately to Zamboanga to board a plane for Manila. There, like the rest of the kidnapped victims under this administration, they'll be presented to the president for that precious photo op.

And surely, Razon, the would-be senator, will be there.

Will we see Mayor Isnaji also in Malacanan? Possibly. Or that Vice Governor becoming governor through the funds of Malacanan? This kidnapping stunt added more pogi points for them. The more these things happen in their island, the more powerful these two will become.

Expect surprises, my friends.

Heating Up The Sulu Hostage Crisis

News reports validated our earlier research on who exactly kidnapped Ces Drilon. Mayor Isnaji confirmed our earlier fears--a group of young Tausugs kidnapped the journalist. They are demanding 20 million pesos as ransom money.

As this was going on, the military pounded on some areas of the island. More than 25 bombs were unleashed by the military. At first, the AFP leadership denied it. Afterwards, they admitted conducting those shelling which already wounded one Muslim woman.

This is stupid. Why would the military do such a thing? They are endangering the life of Ces, right? But, come to think of it, these shelling are just to frighten these young thugs so that they'll release their hostages.

Or, it could be the military's way of telling the people that they don't have anything to do with Ces kidnapping. It is beginning to dawn upon people that, indeed, some elements of the military are behind the abduction of Ces because these shellings are diversionary tactics aimed at showing that the AFP is doing something to solve the situation.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, sir, your slip are showing.

It is now very clear that:

1. The military agent helped in the abduction of Ces. This Biyaw character should be arrested and meted Islamic justice.
2. The surrounding information about the abduction clearly showed counter-intelligence tactics which could only emanate from the AFP. These young Tausugs could not have done this sophisticated operation without any "backer".

We are not fools. The AFP masterminded this caper. They should be exposed, whoever are behind this kidnapping of a respected Philippine journalist.

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.

Insights on the "kidnapping" of Ces Drilon

Last Saturday, ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and her TV crew went missing somewhere in Kulasi town in Sulu. Initial reports say they were kidnapped by the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Ces is the third local journalist to be kidnapped by the group, the first one being another ABS-CBN crew covering the Sipadan hostage crisis in 2000 and the next was Inquirer correspondent Arlyn dela Cruz. Former journalist and now Vice President Noli de Castro was himself nearly kidnapped by the ASG when he, along with several other media personalities, visited the camp of the ASG at the height of the Sipadan hostage crisis. The kidnapping of dela Cruz was, I think, the longest one. Reports say Dela Cruz was actually kidnapped by military agents posing as ASG members. That’s the reason why she was allegedly given the water treatment and subjected to both physical and mental torture. No legitimate Islamist group would ever subject their hostages, especially a female, to inhumane treatment since this is prohibited in Islam.

I shudder to think the same thing happened to Ces, since initial reports indicated that she was taken by a certain Pader, a local ASG commander, and Jundain. Jundain is a former MNLF integree who recently joined the ASG, reports say. If this is the case, then, the kidnapping is probably a move to counter a possible interview with the legitimate ASG group.

However, I do believe that all indications point to a release within the next few days. It could be that Ces was made as an unwilling pawn in the ASG’s publicity efforts. Since the death of Khadaffy Janjalani and other more prominent ASG leaders, no news has since been reported about this group. With this alleged kidnapping, the world has, again taken notice. The news could further increase funding for the group and for what?

All indications point to a resumption of open and more serious hostilities between Philippine security forces and the ASG. After the break in the peace process, Mindanao is again starting to become a flashpoint in the entire region. Reports indicate a possible convergence of forces among various Bangsamoro groups in the area. The MILF has been beating their war drums, preparing for war. After a much-publicized independence call, nothing much has been heard of the MNLF. Reports show that some MNLF fighters have joined the ASG, a not surprising development since most ASG fighters did emanate from the ranks of the MNLF.

With the kidnapping of Ces Drilon, it is again imperative for ALL security analysts to train their sights on Sulu. Another note-worthy indication—this kidnapping occurred after the release of Nur Misuari. Is there a connection?

Another note--could this be a precursor to pressure Congress to pass the disputed ancestral domain provision of the peace agreement between the MILF and the government? This is the purported snag in the peace talks. The kidnapping could highlight the problem in the Mindanao peace process.

Whatever the reasons for this kidnapping, one thing is definitely apparent--government should seriously address the worsening security situation in the region. Publicity stunt or not, the ASG continues to be a threat to the stability and security of the entire region.