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.

Followup on Ces kidnapping

Malacanang did the right thing when it enjoined other media outlets to keep their silence on the kidnapping. That's a correct move. Terrorists like the ASG want nothing more than publicity. Money is just a secondary thing for them.

That's why its most imperative for bloggers to be responsible also like mainstream media. Everyone who knows something about this abduction should cooperate with government in solving this issue, if this, indeed, was an abduction. If Ces was abducted by the legitimate ASG members, chances are, she's okey. However, if pseudo members of the group masterminded this caper, then, its a totally delicate situation which must be approached with extreme caution by everyone. Why?

Because Ces could be used as a political pawn by those who want to destabilize the government. She could be killed. Or she could be harmed.

I ask our fellow Muslim brothers in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan--help secure the safety of my friend Ces Drilon. Help convince her abductors to turn Ces over to the civilian authorities in that area. Tell her to call the ABS-CBN desk and assure her bosses that she and her crew are safe and sound.

A safe and unharmed Ces Drilon will prove to the world that in that part of the world, civility and humanity are still being exercised by the Slaves of Allah SWT.

Terrorism being used by Arroyo for political purposes

Now, my fears have been validated. The desperate Arroyo administration is using the terrorism bogey to deflect its political woes. That's the problem of having an administration like this. How can you now believe the seriousness of their anti-terror campaign when its quite obvious that factotums and slum-bags of this government is using every Muslim cadaver that they can find to make "papogi" (beautify) before the international community! A regional anti-terror expert Sidney Jones does not believe that a cadaver exhumed in Tawi-Tawi is that of Dulmatin. We are also not in a position to really determine if that body is indeed that of Dulmatin, but even if it was, look at the lame reaction of the people. Nothing! Even the US government doubts the authenticity of the government's claim that it was indeed the terror leader's body.

This is the effect of having a beleaguered government leading the fight against terrorism in this country. Reputation and integrity are two of the most important things that every government needs to really and seriously lead the fight against terror.

I believe it is in the best interest of countries like the United States and Britain to support moves to oust or replace this government. As I wrote in previous blogs, this administration remains as the weakest link to the fight against terror in the region. This government is just good in terrorizing its citizens; it is helpless in really combatting the spread of terrorist ideology in its territory.

It is time for the US to really convince Arroyo to step down. A stronger government is needed to really counter terrorism in the Philippines. Without this, it would be very hard for the global community of nations to claim victory over Jemaah Islamiya or ASG or Al Qaeda because there's one very weak link in the fight against terrorism.