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.

Former RP Governor survived slay try

After the failed assasination attempt against Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, here comes another news, this time, an assassination attempt (the sixth) against another former governor. Andal Ampatuan, a scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan, survived a roadside bomb attack today. Military sources say, the attack was allegedly perpetuated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Ampatuans are allies of Philippine pseudo-President Arroyo. Tan, meanwhile, is also an administration lackey.

Are these wag the dog tactics or just coincidence?

Ex-Philippine governor survives bomb blast, 1 dead Updated May 15, 2009 06:55 PM
COTABATO, Philippines (AP) -- A former provincial governor in the southern
Philippines survived a roadside bomb attack that killed one of his security
escorts Friday, the military said. An army spokesman blamed Muslim separatsts
rebels, but they denied involvement.

Three homemade bombs fashioned from mortar shells exploded seconds apart as former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan's convoy made its way to his farm in Sharff Aguak township, said military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce.
Shariff Aguak councilor Iyo Kitub said Ampatuan was unharmed but a member of his security detail was killed. Ponce said two other escorts were wounded.
Ponce blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has been fighting for decades for a separate Muslim homeland in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation's south.
Peace talks between the government and the rebels have been suspended since last year, but a ceasefire appears to be holding.
Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the group was involved in the attack. He urged authorities to look at other angles like a family feud or political rivalry ahead of next year's election.
Violent feuds and clashes linked to politics are common in the southern region where access to weapons is relatively easy.
Ampatuan’s spokesman Norie Unas says it was the sixth assassination attempt on the former governor.
Three years ago, a car bomb exploded as Ampatuan’s vehicle passed by, killing six people, including two of his relatives.

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.

Mindanao situation to worsen

A Sri Lankan peace advocate and three others were abducted by armed men in Basilan today. This is the fourth celebrated abduction in the Jolo-Basilan-Tawi-Tawi triangle since January. Reports however, indicate that some kidnapped victims are to be released with conditions. As of latest, the 3 other locals who were kidnapped were released just this afternoon.

However, I doubt if this Sri Lankan is really a peace advocate. There are indications that this Sri Lankan could possibly be a spy or an agent of the International Monitoring Group (IMG) of Sidney Jones which is based in Indonesia. This Sri Lankan could have been sent to (1) verify reports that Jemaah Islamiyah has deeply infiltrated the Abu Sayyaf Groop (ASG) and (2) validate earlier accounts that the ASG has been stocking up arms in preparation for a bigger offensive against the AFP and American troops stationed in the area. Remember that the self-appointed anti-terror expert in the Asia-Pacific is a Sri Lankan.

Malacanang and the government security agencies should be worried. These kidnappings are happening in the cities, not in the rural areas. Kidnappers are getting bolder and bolder by the day. The peace and order situation in Mindanao is getting worse.

It seems that government security agencies are helpless in stemming the slide towards chaos in that part of the Philippines. The reason is quite obvious---most people are armed in Mindanao. The PNP is trying to control the proliferation of illegal arms in the area but has been unsuccessful so far. What some analysts are worried is Mindanao slowly turning into a warzone. The prospect of that happening is not far-fetched. Mindanao, it appears, is highly vulnerable as a training ground and laboratory by terrorist and criminal groups. It's not simply a resource problem for the national police. Mindanao is really a big area to secure. One can't simply administer that big an area.

This justifies some suggestions that maybe, it is time for the national government to grant police powers to the big armed organisations there. By giving, say the MILF or the MNLF, powers to institute Islamic counter-measures against criminality and terrorism, that could ease the worsening situation in the area.

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.

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.

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.