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.

Breaking News--ABU SAYYAF KIDNAPS FOREIGNERS ANEW!

Shortly after the announcement of Al Qaeda spiritual leader Osama bin Laden's call for jihad against the so-called " US-Zionist" alliance, members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, led by a certain Albader Parad kidnapped two foreigners and one aide member of the International Red Cross.

The kidnapping happened right under the noses of authorities, as accounts reveal that the kidnap victims were seized at gunpoint near the Sulu capitol building in Patikul town just this morning.

Sulu police director Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim identified the kidnapped victims as Andreas Notter, 38, the Swiss head of the ICRC Office based in Zamboanga City; 62-year old Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina engineer Jean Lacaba, 37 of Davao City. Reports say they were seized at the Area Coordinating Center (ACC), a conference hall between the provincial capitol and provincial jail.

They were taken at gunpoint along with three other ICRC staff members. Witnesses say at least eight men with high-powered firearms emerged out of nowhere and nabbed them.

The suspects then ordered the victims to board an ICRC vehicle, leaving behind Dr. Richie Sorilla, ICRC medical field officer; Ramon Catacutan, senior field officer; and Mohamad Shihata Jikiri, field officer.

Brigadier General Eugene Clemen, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade based in Patikul, said the victims were on their way out of the capitol compound when the armed men ordered them to board the ICRC vehicle.

Immediately after the kidnapping, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered for a full manhunt against the kidnappers. Sulu governor Abdulsakur Tan meanwhile vowed to retaliate against the families of those who kidnapped the foreign aid workers.

It will be remembered that the same Albader Parad led the team which kidnapped ABS-CBN News Anchor Ces Drilon and her team. After the release of Drilon, no news as to the whereabouts of Parad. However, AFP press statements said that they continued hot pursuit operations against the group of Parad.

This caps a series of insurrectionary activities in Mindanao, which has killed scores of others. Fighting rages in the hinterlands of Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao and Cotabato.

Question---will this affect the ongoing efforts by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return to the negotiating table soon? Will this also turn into a scenario similar to the Sipadan hostage crisis?

This is the most recent high profile kidnapping done by the ASG. The last time that the Abu Sayyaf Group, a known international terror organisation, held a high-profile kidnapping was in 2000, shortly prior to the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.

This kidnapping is significant for two things: First, it involves an international organization. And second, the terror group could use this as a propaganda stunt. Given the attention in the Middle East brought by the Israeli-Palestinian clash in Gaza, this kidnapping could get worldwide attention or condemnation. This could also be misinterpreted as a coordinated effort by global terrorist groups under the ambit of the Al Qaeda.