5,000 people flee as PNP serves arrest warrants against 130 MILF rebels in Basilan

Thousands of villagers of Al-Barka town in Basilan have been forced to abandon their homes as hundreds of military-backed policemen started Tuesday serving arrest warrants against 130 Moro rebels accused of beheading 10 marines in the island province.

Sources from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) said as many as 1,000 families or 5,321 persons have been evacuated from six villages of Al-Barka to safer grounds.

Many residents - mainly women, children and the elderly - have sought refuge to their families in Lamitan City, Tipo-Tipo Municipality, and evacuation centers established at schools and government buildings in nearby towns of Basilan.

Reports said some 300 policemen left Isabela City Tuesday to Al-Barka town to serve the arrest warrants against Basilan-based MILF commander Hamsa Sapantun and subcommanders Not Muddalan, Suhud Limaya, Sulaiman Murata, Hadji Dan Asnwai and Long Hadji Mas-ud and 107 followers.

Sapantun allegedly led a group of MILF rebels who attacked a team of the 1st Marine Brigade, triggering an almost 10-hour gun battle last July 10, where 14 members of the Philippine Marines were killed.

The military said the MILF leaders were also aided by Abu Sayyaf members led by Commanders Furuji Indama and Nurshasan Kallilut Jamiri.

But the three-man fact-finding team organized by the MILF central committee found the said rebel leaders innocent for the beheading, saying the team investigated practically all those units and elements of the MILF 114 Base Command and the result was negative.

"No one took part in the mutilation of the Marines...it is strictly against Islam, code of conduct of the MILF military, and rule of civilized society," the MILF probe body said in its report posted at Luwaran.com website.

The three-day timeline for the investigating team of the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hosilities (JCCCH) of GRP-MILF to come up with findings and recommendations given by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lapsed Monday.

The MILF, however, asked for extension of JCCCH's investigation, saying that the probe of the case was unfinished.

National Security Adviser and acting Defense Chief Norberto Gonzales said Tuesday the government is opened for the extension of the investigation.

Pres. Arroyo holds AFP offensive vs. MILF

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is escorted by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon during a military arrival honor at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in Zamboanga City.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo held back yesterday from major offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, but ordered the military to continue full blast operations against the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu, Basilan and other parts in Mindanao.

The President's order was relayed by Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon to media during a press conference at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) with acting Defense chief Norberto Gonzales and Peace process adviser Jesus Dureza.

“There shall be no offensive action from the Armed Forces of the Philippines until after the investigation and so it’s holding. We want to hold this. The deployment of forces all over Mindanao is simply to protect our vital facilities and infrastructure,” Esperon said.

"The president has approved the continuation of the full blast operations by the military and police against the Abu Sayyaf," Esperon said. “To support the operation, the President has approved the emergency procurement of mortar tubes, mortar rounds and ammunitions."

Esperon also disclosed the President's approval of three days (from Friday to Monday) investigation of the joint GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) on the July 10 ambush incident in Al-Barka, Basilan.

After the joint CCCH investigation, the AFP chief said the Philippine National Police (PNP), specifically the Basilan provincial police office with the military as back-up forces, would arrest of the perpetrators of the beheading.

"We expect the serving of the warrant of arrest on Tuesday and we hope that by going through the legal process of investigations and the serving of warrant of arrest, we shall avoid any unnecessary violence actions and reactions," he added.

It was learned from other military official that the PNP has secured an arrest warrant against 100 members of the MILF who are allegedly responsible for the beheading after the police submitted a death certificate to the court.

President Arroyo met behind closed doors with military and police generals at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in light of the government's response to the beheadings of marines, which has put the already fragile GRP-MILF peace talks at a delicate situation.

While in the city, Mrs. Arroyo also inaugurated the asphalt overlay of runway project at EAAB and visited five military casualties recuperating at the Camp Navarro hospital in Upper Calarian, where she gave financial assistance and pinned medals to the wounded soldiers.

Esperon explained the operations that the Armed Forces have been conducting as exemplified in Sulu would also be done in Basilan and in other parts of Mindanao, where Abu Sayyaf were detected.

“It is different from operation against MILF who might be involved in the atrocities in Tipo-Tipo in the sense that we are investigating to determine the perpetrators,” he added. “We shall always be guided and we shall give primacy to the peace process.”

For his part, Secretary Dureza said the local government chief executives in Basilan are helping authorities by providing the joint GRP-MILF probe team with verified information on identities of perpetrators in the beheading of 10 marines.

“The local officials are in the front line. They are helping our authorities identify those involved in the brutal killings of our soldiers,” he told reporters.

But Esperon challenged the Basilan officials to go full force and steadfast in helping punish those who perpetrated in the brutal killings of marines. The more that we allow this to past without getting punish, we will be encouraging more beheading. This barbaric act has no place in Mindanao and the Philippines or anywhere in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Gonzales has found no malice in the statements of Japan, Canada, and the World Bank, urging the government and the MILF to exercise restraint to save the Malaysian-brokered talks and peacefully resolve the looming conflict in Basilan.

“I think that there is no malice in what they’re saying. The problem is that when one party started putting some color into this. I think the aim of the international community is to really help…they want us to address this problem as effectively as possible,” he said.

Dureza to ambassadors of Japan & Canada: "We are more concerned than you are"

"We welcome statements like that but other countries should know that we are more concerned than they are." This was what Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said Thursday in reaction to statements of Japanese and Canadian ambassadors to the Philippines

Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and Ambassador Peter Sutherland urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to exercise restraint to save the Malaysian-brokered talks and peacefully resolve a conflict over the recent rebel killing of 14 marines in Basilan.

A copy of letter sent by Yamazaki to Malacanang was seen by the Associated Press (AP) late Wednesday, while the letter of Sutherland was quoted directly.

The two envoys also expressed alarmed over a possible outbreak of fighting between government troops and MILF fighters, warning they may pull out their aid workers if the situation worsens.

Yamazaki wrote they are gravely concerned that offensive military operations could derail the ongoing peace talks and that in case the situation worsens, Japan will have to consider temporarily pulling out its aid-related personnel from Mindanao for security reasons.

"We welcome those (statements), but they don't have to tell us that because we are more concern than they are, I'm sure that we have to uphold the primacy of the peace process. They can not be more than concern than we are," Dureza said in a press conference at Garden Orchid hotel.

Dureza met here Thursday local government officials from Basilan led by Governor Jum Akbar and some leaders of Non Governmental Organization (NGO) for consultations about possible military offensives in Basilan.

He added that other countries should trust President Arryo, who has consistently showed political will despite the great odds in the past to uphold the primacy of the peace process, will take the most appropriate steps to address the situation.

"So let no one doubt that she knows exactly how to deal with in the most appropriate manner. Let me welcome these comments from the donor communities. Coaching from the sidelines is something that is easy and convenient to do but that is totally different from being a player in the field."

About 5,000 government troops have been sent to Basilan to hunt down those responsible in the brutal killings of 14 members of the Philippine Marines, although the military has denied it's preparing for a full-scale war.

The MILF has denied its rebels were behind the decapitations, which were strongly condemned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the 120,000-strong military. It has said its fighters would defend themselves if attacked in their territory.

ARMM sets 6th Business Congress on Sept.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Business Council (ABC) finally set the 6th ARMM Business Congress on September 4-5, 2007, to be held in Cotabato City.

According to ARMM Business Council Chairman Datu Haron Bandila, 'this gathering is diverse from the past congresses.’ He jolted, “this two-day congress will be attended by none other than the president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Mr. Sammy Lim.”

With the theme, ‘Expanding Business Linkages with other Chambers Responsive to Peace Efforts,’ the confab will be participated in by various businessmen and several chambers around the region including the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.

Moreover, Chairman Bandila emphasized that the highlight of the Congress is the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ABC and Makati Business Club (MBC).

“This MOA signing is the outcome of the recently-concluded activity in Makati dubbed as ‘Forum on Doing Business in the ARMM” – an emblem that ABC will finally be affiliated to MBC.”

Chairman Bandila concluded with glee, “this fold of events is a clear manifestation that amidst conflicts in other parts of the region, our entrepreneurs persist in doing business inside and outside ARMM.” (BPI-ARMM)

Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi freed
text & photos HADER GLANG

Freed kidnap victim, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi, weeps as he recounts his ordeal with suspected al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorists, who held him captive for 39 days in the jungles of Lanao del Norte. Photo below shows PNP chief Oscar Calderon (left), DILG Secretary Rodolfo Puno, and PNP-9 Regional Director Jaime Caringal lead Fr. Bossi to a press conference at PNP regional headquarters along R.T. Lim Boulevard in Zamboanga City.

Kidnapped Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was freed Thursday night in Lanao del Norte province, exactly one month and 9 days after his abduction on June 10 in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Clad with sweater and apparently in good health, Bossi was presented yesterday by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, top police and military officials at the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional headquarters here.

Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal, police regional director in Western Mindanao, announced the recovery of Fr. Bossi Thursday night at around 9:00 p.m. at the national highway of Karomatan in Lanao del Norte province.

Caringal credited the successful recovery to Zamboanga City police chief Psupt. Manuel Barcena, who led the negotiations. "The recovery was made possible through the negotiations spearheaded by Police Superintendent Barcena."

The police official said Bossi has undergone the initial medical check up and found out in good physical condition. He added the priest will also undergo further thorough medical examinations and that debriefing will be done on him.

At the press conference, Bossi, the 57-year old missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), confirmed that Abu Sayyaf was behind his abduction since the incident on June 10 in Payao until his release.

"From the beginning, they (kidnappers) told me they were Abu Sayyaf and until the end (of captivity) they admitted and continued to say they are Abu Sayyaf," Bossi said, adding that kidnap for ransom was the motive for his abduction. “As far as I know they are looking for money. They told me to tell that they were looking for money as they were asking ransom."

He named Abu Kalid and Abu Jari as among his captors, but did not mention the brother of "Kumander Kiddie", a certain Waning Abdulsalam, believed to be arogue member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Abdulsalam together with Putot Jakaria, and Ogis Jakaria had been identified from day one of the kidnapping as among those who seized Bossi while on his way to Church in Payao for mass.

Authorities have filed charges in court against the suspects and warrant of arrests have been issued by judge in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay for illegal serious detention with robbery of one the kidnap victims.

Asked to recount his ordeal with the kidnappers, Bossi said: "I was treated well but the problem is the food. They always served me cooked rice, salt and vegetables in my breakfast, lunch and supper. That's why I lost a lot of weight."

Bossi was reportedly taken by his abductors to Basilan or Sulu, but denied being held captive in the said provinces. He said he heard two pumpboats docked in Karumatan and they were moving from one mountain to the others.

It is not known whether any ransom was paid, but the kidnappers had earlier asked for US$1 million including "board and lodging" in exchange for Bossi's safe release.

"Absolutely no ransom. We are still running after the kidnappers. This is unusual incident which requires tactic," said Secretary Puno.

Puno also disclosed the participation of a former mayor in Basilan in the effort to secure the release of the Italian priest. "The mayor (referring to ex-mayor of Tuburan Hadjarun Jamiri) was key in locating the area of Fr. Bossi."

Despite his abduction, the priest said he has no ill feelings with his abductors and that if his superiors would allow him to return to his parish in Payao, he would do and continues his mission for the people there.

"A priest is like a father and the father would like to return to his children. My heart is still in Payao.”

As Bossi was being flown to Manila Friday, 16 inmates, including four members of the Abu Sayyaf group escaped from provincial jail in Basilan, where the government forces are hunting down the beheaders of the 14 marines.

Sources from Isabela City in Basilan said the inmates sawed off the iron grills of their cells and among those who escaped were four members of the Abu Sayyaf, who had been arrested for various offenses.

The four Abu Sayyaf escapees were identified as Heting Askaline, Enteng Anjil, Abu Sampang, and Wakil Sampang. Other escapees were facing murder and frustrated murders charges and robbery with homicide as well as attempted murders.

The prisoners broke a window open with an iron bar and then using blankets and ropes to climb down, according to the source.

The incident was the second to occur in the provincial jail in Basilan province. In April 10, 2004, 53 inmates, including several Abu Sayyaf bandits, also bolted out of the jail.

AFP gives ultimatum to MILF rebels

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has given the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) one week to turn over those responsible for the brutal killings of 14 soldiers in Basilan.

AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon said Wednesday if the MILF rebels failed to meet the ultimatum, they would take a military option but not necessarily an all-out war.

"We have options 1 to 10. An all-out offensive is the the last resort, but it is still an option," Esperon told reporters after meeting with top military commanders at Western Mindanao Command headquarters.

He said the Armed Forces are determined to punish those who have committed the barbaric and inhuman acts, which are no longer within the ambit of the peace process.

But one MILF leader said they will not surrender any of their freedom fighters and will defend themselves should the military attack their stronghold in Basilan.

Instead, MILF information committee chairman Khaled Musa urged the government to observe restraint in launching punitive military actions against the "beheaders."

"There is really need to distinguish who were responsible and who are innocent. Collective punishment is not a good option for the government, because so many innocent people would be affected or even killed or wounded," Musa stressed.

The MILF, which is negotiating peace with the Philippine government, claimed responsibility for the July 10 attack on marines in barangay Guinanta, Tipo-Tipo town but denied beheading them.

It blamed the soldiers for the beheading of a Muslim religious leader identified as Imam Alkanul during the June 10 encounter between MILF fighters and Philippine Marines in Al-Barka town.

Esperon strongly denied this accusation, saying that "as we have interviewed participants in the operations, there is no indication that the troops were aware of an Imam."

"Initial report is that there was an Imam who died on July 10, but as to how he died is a matter to be determined," the AFP chief said replying to a question about the probe on the beheading of an Imam.

He also said their investigation team is looking into involvement of private armies of some politicians in Basilan, who were reportedly supplied the Abu Sayyaf and MILF with mortars, weapons and ammos.

Meanwhile, Esperon revealed the successes of military operations against the Abu Sayyaf group and the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the first semester of this year.

He said they have reduced the strenght of ASG by 73 members from 425 and cleared several barangays that are under influence of communist terrorist movement at the start of the year.

At the same time, the AFP chief said that search and rescue operations for kidnapped Italian priest continue in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan. "There has been no let-up in the operations to recover safely Fr. Bossi," he said.

Malaysia's economic managers visit ARMM
Deputy Director Allaudin Bin Haji Anuar, head of the macro-economic section of the Economic Planning Unit of Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office, met with heads of different ARMM agencies to discuss ongoing socio-economic programs in the region. Malaysia, which currently leads the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in the ongoing GRP-MILF peace negotiation, considers furthering its peace and development assistance in Southren Philippines. (BPI-ARMM)

The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia visited the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Monday to discuss recent socio-economic endeavors in the region.

The delegation was headed by EPU Macro-Economic Section Deputy Director Allaudin Bin Haji Anuar together with representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the International Monitoring Committee (IMT).

Through a round-table discussion, Director Anuar inquired from the secretaries and directors of ARMM’s various agencies and departments on the status of the project implementation funded both by the Philippine government and international institutions.

Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO) Executive Director Diamadel Dumagay presented the status of business and industry of ARMM including the program plans of ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan.

After the round-table discussion, ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Oscar Sampulna uttered hopes on the objectives of the EPU delegation’s visit.

“We are optimistic that after the thorough presentation of Director Dumagay on the various lined-up projects of ARMM with the different foreign donors in the globe, the Malaysian government will be extending assistance to the people of ARMM through socio-economic projects soon,” expressed Sampulna.

The Malaysian government through its International Monitoring Team is supporting the on-going peace process in Mindanao.(BPI-ARMM)

MILF rebels ready vs. AFP offensive in Basilan

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters are ready to defend themselves should government troops attack their stronghold in Basilan province, officials of the rebel group warned yesterday.

Tension in Basilan between MILF rebels and government forces has gripped following a bloody gun battle Tuesday in Al-barka (Tipo-Tipo) that left 14 marines killed, ten of them beheaded, and 9 wounded.

A report posted at Luwaran.com disclosed the rebels suffered at least 4 dead and seven wounded in the fighting. It said the rebels destroyed two 6x6 military vehicles and captured assorted high-powered firearms from the marines.

"We will defend ourselves in Basilan in the face of impending major offensive by government forces as a result of the 'beheading' of 11 Marines after the July 10 encounter," said Khaled Musa, MILF committee on information vice chairman.

For his part, Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesman, said that if government forces start their offensive, they would see that there are men in the area ready to fight by all means necessary.

"They are ready to die and have prepared to defend themselves," Kabalu said. "We do hope that they will not be pushed further because any provocations from military will lead to dire consequences."

According to Musa, the massing of troops by the government is another display of blatant disregard of the existing ceasefire between the MILF and the government.

He accused the government of deliberately luring the MILF into the firefight last Tuesday, citing violations of the truce such as massing or deployment of troops, without coordination and entering known MILF bailiwick.

He urged the Philippine government to observe restraint in launching punitive military actions against the "beheaders" of the priest, saying there is really need to distinguish who were responsible and who are innocent.

"Collective punishment is not a good option for the government, because so many innocent people would be affected or even killed or wounded," he stressed.

But military blamed the MILF for the incident, saying marine troops were returning to their camp when they were ambushed by more or less 300 armed men, including members of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said troops from the 1st Marine Brigade were deployed to the area purposely to verify a tip-off that Fr. Giancarlo Bossi was being held in the hinterlands of Tipo-Tipo.

"Apparently, their (marine troops) purpose of going into the area turned negative. The informant was not able to give them the exact location," Cedo told reporters in an interview last Saturday.

Troops of the 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) from Sulu have been deployed to Basilan. They arrived Saturday in Maluso town to augment troops preparing for the major military operation in Tipo-Tipo.

The deployement came after President Arroyo ordered the military to hunt down those who perpetrated the brutal killings of marines, who were searching for the kidnapped Italian Catholic priest, who has been held captive more than one month already.

The military tagged rogue MILF members as behind the June 10 abduction of Fr. Bossi in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. Intelligence reports said that he was already turned over by captors to a kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) in Basilan.

Sen. Biazon concludes: “Attack on marines in Basilan well planned”

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels carefully planned the attack Tuesday on government forces in island province of Basilan, where 14 marines were killed, most of them beheaded, and nine others wounded.

This was the conclusion made by Senator Rodolfo Biazon on Friday as he asked both the MILF and the Philippine government peace negotiators what could be the effect of the incident on the peace process.

“Based on my informal inquiry I can make a conclusion that the show was triggered, managed by the MILF,” Biazon told reporters in an interview at the Western Mindanao Command military headquarters here.

The Senator, a former Marine combat-officer himself, said he observes the MILF is not denying involvement in that incident and not even claiming the gunmen who clashed with the marines were lost command members.

“So meaning…they are admitting that what happened is a hard-bid, big involvement of the MILF,” said Biazon, who also chairs the Senate Defense Committee.

Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesman, said the battle was a legitimate fight because their forces acted in self-defense against the marines, who were in a territory that belongs to the Bangsamoro Armed Forces.

Invoking an agreement whereby the government forces are supposed to coordinate the MILF of mass troop movements, Kabalu said the military did not tell them, which triggered the incident.

“We admit that our freedom fighters were responsible for the deaths of the marines, but we denied that they had beheaded them. It is against Islam. We do not mutilate the enemy," he said.

But Biazon brushed off Kabalu’s claim that the marines went astray into an MILF controlled territory, saying that the whole nor part of Basilan is not included in the list of recognized areas that are ally agreed upon by both parties under the peace process.

“Since Basilan is not included in this list, there was no need for the marines to coordinate with the MILF if they are performing a security operation. The marines’ main mission was only to verify the presence or absence of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi,” he stressed.

Bossi, 57, an Italian priest, kidnapped more than a month ago in the coastal village of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, was reportedly taken by his abductors somewhere in Basilan, a birthplace of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

The military has been searching for the Catholic missionary since his abduction on June 10. Its counterpart in the Ad Hoc Joint Group (AHJAG) of the MILF has given way Armed Forces the sole responsibility to search or rescue alone the priest.

With the incident, according to Biazon, it should now direct the policy makers in the country to re-examine the so-called peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF.

“I have no recommended specific actions to be taken, but I think we need to re-examine. Are we going to allow further the claims of the MILF that they control certain areas of this country without the mutual agreement of those people in authority?” he said.

The military have been given the go signal to hunt down and arrest those who killed and beheaded the soldiers in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan even as the International Monitoring Team (IMT) were on the ground in Basilan carrying out an investigation on the incident.

But Biazon commented that to effect the order of the commander-in-chief to hunt down the perpetrators of the killings and beheadings of marines, requires reinforcement to the forces that are presently based in Basilan.

“I will leave it to them. I understand there is a deployment of one marine battalion from Sulu. Definitely, this is a good move on the part of the commander-in-chief because we can’t allow our troops to be treated that way,” he added.

When asked to comment about IMT’s independent investigation on the incident, Biazon replied: “I think it is incumbent upon them to monitor everything related to the peace process and this incident is related with it. This may not be affecting the present day situation, but it can affect the future of the peace process which could affect the future of this country.”

MILF probes beheading in Basilan

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Thursday that it was investigating the incident in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, where 10 Marines were reportedly killed, 4 of them were beheaded and mutilated their bodies.

At the same time, the MILF is looking into a reported lapse in coordination between its forces and the Marines, which triggered a bloody gun battle.

The military had earlier blamed the extremist Abu Sayyaf gunmen, backed by MILF rebels, as behind the beheading of soldiers. It said that it was the “signature” of the group to behead people.

The Abu Sayyaf is on the US government’s terrorist watchlist and it has earned international notoriety for decapitating hostages, including Filipino Claretian priest Rhoel Gallardo and American tourist Guillermo Sobero who were beheaded in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

In 2005, a medical officer of the Basilan General Hospital disclosed to media that the terrorists have already beheaded more than 76 people, mostly civilians, from 1992 to 2001.

“We are investigating because this incident is very unfortunate. This should not have happened because the beheading of a dead person is prohibited in Islam,” Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said from his base on Central Mindanao.

Jaafar also denied having cooperation and link with the Abu Sayyaf, saying that the MILF as an organization has no association at all with the terrorist group. But the military insists to persistent reports of the separatist group’s involvement during the firefight.

He said he has already talked with the chief of staff of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Armed Forces on what really happened in Basilan on Tuesday, and they were, as Muslims, feel very sad that the incident happened.

Invoking the MILF’s rules of engagement, he said their forces were strictly told not to commit that kind of atrocity and to uphold at all times the rules of war in Islam. “In Islam even the cutting of trees without valid reason is not allowed.”

When asked whether the MILF will punish its some members if proven culpable in the beheading, Jaafar replied: “It all depends on the decision of the MILF Central Committee, but definitely we will give sanction to those involved.”

For Philippine Marines spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, “We will leave the incident to the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to ferret out the truth, especially on the extent of the MILF's involvement.”

Caculitan blamed the MILF for the attack, calling it a violation of the ceasefire between the government and the rebel group.

“Clearly this is a violation of the ceasefire. The CCCH must determine if the MILF participated in the mutilation of some of our colleagues. This is also a violation of International Humanitarian Law," he said.

Caculitan also belied the MILF's claim that the military failed to coordinate with it, saying an Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) is in place to do the coordination.

"The AHJAG coordinates the efforts of government forces tracking lawless elements)," he said. adding there was no reason for the MILF to attack because the Marines were returning from a mission to verify information on abducted Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi.

Meanwhile, two missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Zamboanga City have doubted the link drawn between Bossi’s abduction and a military clash with Abu Sayyaf or MILF in Basilan.

In a report posted at the website of Union of Catholic Asia News, PIME Father Luciano Benedetti said that his community does not think the clash is related to their confrere's kidnapping.

Benedetti, a kidnapped victim himself in 1998, believes Fr. Bossi has not been brought to that area. “A report linking beheadings of marines to Father Bossi's kidnapping, for us, that doesn't sound right.”

For his part, Fr. Sebastinao D’Ambra, president of the Silsilah Dialgoue Movement in Zamboanga City, said through a text message: “It is not related to Fr. Bossi…military knows that he is not in Basilan.”

The Abu Sayyaf is reportedly holding kidnapped Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi and is demanding for P250 million for his safe release.

A police intelligence agent who requested anonymity, disclosed that alleged Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) lost command rebels had turned over the victim recently to the Abu Sayyaf near Sacol Island, Zamboanga City.

According to the intelligence agent, Bossi is now in the custody of the terrorists who are keeping the Italian priest in the hinterland of Tuburan Municipality.

The intelligence officer disclosed that the terrorists were also the same group who abducted the daughter of former WMSU president Dr. Eldigario Gonzales.

The same intelligence agent explained that the reason for Bossi’s abduction by the MILF is to force the national government to continue with the peace talks.

The Abu Sayyaf in Basilan attacked government troops who were trying to rescue Bossi last Tuesday night, the intelligence agent reported.

Abu Sayyaf strikes anew, killing 14 Marines, beheading 4 of them, in Basilan clash?
Photo shows two coffins of slain marines believed beheaded by extremist Abu Sayyaf gunmen following a clash with government troops searching for kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi in Basilan.

Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen clashed Tuesday with government forces in Basilan province, killing 14 soldiers and beheading four bodies, a report reaching Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) here said Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

The victims were members of the 1st Marine Brigade that were searching for the kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi in the hinterland village of Tipo-Tipo Municipality.

According to the report, the dead soldiers, included those beheaded, had been recovered. It added they were returning to base when they came under fire and fighting broke out until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier reports said troops clashed with members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, reportedly aided by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Ginanta in Al-Barka, an adjacent town of Tipo-Tipo.

Four marines were initially killed and nine others were wounded in the firefight.

In a related news, journalists following the developments on efforts to secure the release of Fr. Bossi were barred by soldiers from covering the cadavers of marines taken to La Merced funeral home in Zamboanga City.

A reporter said he was able to take shot bodies of slain soldiers, including those who were beheaded, in the funeral's embalming room, "but one marine soldier took my camera and erased its content."

Meanwhile, the MILF admitted that it had killed 23 Marines during the fighting with government forces Tuesday in Basilan Province, but denied responsibility for the beheading of soldiers.

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said their forces encountered with the Marines in Barangay Guinanta, Tipo-Tipo starting at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday and dwindled down late in the afternoon, leaving 23 soldiers dead on the spot.

“Violence broke out after the Philippine Marines entered our camp in Tipo-Tipo town,” said Iqbal. “Our troops thought they were under attack that's why they fought back. If they just coordinate with our men in the ground, it should have not happened.”

A report posted at the MILF on line website Luwaran, Abu Majid, MILF information officer based in Basilan, dismissed reports from the government that what Marine troops encountered in Tipo-Tipo town were members of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Majid said the MILF would look into the reported beheading because Islam prohibits mutilation or commission of any atrocity against a fallen enemy.

“The Marines entered our area in complete disregard of the ceasefire agreement,” Majid said, adding, “The MILF does not understand why no such coordination was ever attempted by the Philippine Marines.”

The MILF also reported it had recovered 27 firearms, including six (6) M-60 machineguns, eight M-203 grenade launchers, ten M-16 Armalite rifles, one 60mm mortar, and several night vision goggles.

Majid said the MILF, which suffered four casualties and seven (7) wounded, also destroyed two 6x6 military vehicles.

“All the captured firearms remain in the custody of MILF in the area,” Majid said.

Meanwhile, Marine Major Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino, head of the government's Ad Hoc Joint Advisory Group (Ahjag), noted that beheading was an execution style of the Abu Sayyaf.

"There were reports that the son of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon were among the fatalities. He reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to his mouth," Dolorfino said.

"They got angry, that's why they decapitated the Marines," he added.

Hapilon is said to be the chief of the Abu Sayyaf faction in Basilan.

The military claimed that as many as 300 to 500 men overpowered their troops as the Marines were on their way back from search operations for kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi.

Bossi, 57, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) was seized by heavily gunmen in the coastal of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. He was reportedly to have been taken by his abductors to Basilan.

Marine Colonel Ramiro Alivio, 1st Marine Brigade commander, denied that 20 soldiers were killed. "Soldiers were checking reports that Fr. Bossi was sighted in the town. The report turned out to be false," he told reporters.

Muslim leaders hold Islamic summit on environmental governance in Cotabato



Over a hundred Islamic religious leaders, members of the Islamic studies academe, non-government organizations, Islamic educators and community advocates all over Central Mindanao had convened for the first time to hold the first Regional Islamic Summit on Environmental Governance here from July 7–9, 2007.

Dubbed as Khalifatul Ardh or Steward of the Earth. the 3-day Summit aims to raise awareness of environmental governance, get the involvement of stakeholders in environmental governance advocacy and encourage the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to enact effective environmental laws derived from the religious teachings of Islam.

The release of Al Khalifa is the highlight of the Summit; the sourcebook that will discuss environmental governance in ethical, religious and technical aspects.

City Mayor Muslimin Sema welcomed the activity emphasizing the sourcebook as “the practical applications of Islamic teachings to environmental care.”

Gracing the summit is the presence of US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenny, stressing, “this initiative is unique for this is the first time people from all sectors met and came up with a guide book that will help every Muslim be a responsible environmental steward in Islam way.”

ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan’s on the other hand stated his concern on the environment of the region in his State of the Region Address (SORA) thru implementation of programs that will intensify reforestation and rehabilitation of all coastal and marine resources as well as enforcing laws and policies protecting the rights of cultural communities from environmental degradation.

The Summit is a joint effort of the City of Government of Cotabato, Assembly of the Darul Ifta of the Philippines, Notre Dame University-Accelerated Teachers Education Porgram, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-ARMM and U.S. Agency for International Development/EcoGov2 Project. (BPI-ARMM)

Italian special envoy meets Silsilah in Zamboanga on efforts to free Fr. Bossi
text HADER GLANG

An Italian special envoy arrived here for talks withmembers of the inter-faith council of leaders on Saturday on effortsto free Fr. Giancarlo Bossi kidnapped almost a month ago in Payao,Zamboanga Sibugay, Southern Philippines.

Ms. Margherita Boniver, a prominent Italian lawmaker and veteran ofseveral humanitarian missions, together with Italian Ambassador to thePhilippines Ruben Fidele met a group of Muslim and Christianindividuals who composed the Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, Silsilah president and a senior member of thePontifical Institute for Foreign Mission, and Ustadz Shariff Julabbi,former spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and member ofthe Bishop Ulama Council of the Philippines led in welcoming Ms.Boniver and party.

"I'm extremely honored to be here and I was very touched from astatement that just read out. What I will do when I go back to Italy Iwill not only deliver to my government and to parliament but I willalso have to translate it into Italian and distribute it," saidBoniver after arriving at the Silsilah Center.

"I think it is an extraordinary document of love and understanding,although Brother Giancarlo Bossi has not been released yet. I do thinkthat a feeling such as this will be of tremendously help in order toobtain his (Fr. Bossi) release and also in order to console somehowhis relatives and friends back home," she said.

The Silsilah group issued a statement on the kidnapping of Fr. Bossito Ms. Boniver saying that, they, in the Inter-Faith Council ofLeaders of Zamboanga City are deeply saddened by the incident nearly amonth ago."We are concerned for his safety and his health,considering the circumstances which now surround him."

The statement furthered that Fr. Bossi is not a combatant in theongoing conflict in Mindanao and that he is a missionary priest, farfrom his home in Abbiaegrasso, Milan, Italy who is giving his life inservice to the people of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

"We, as a group of Muslim and Christian leaders of different sectorsof society, who follow the spirit of Silsilah towards the attainmentof peace through dialogue, are committed to firm respect for the value of human life regardless of religion, culture and ethnicity, as taughtin our respective religions."

Invoking the teachings of the Holy books, the Qur'an and the Bible,the group asked those who held Fr. Bossi to keep him safe and releasehim immediately and also asked those who have information about thepriest to cooperate with the authorities working to find him andarrange for his release.

"We take this sad event as a new challenge for reflection and action,to invite all Muslim, Christian and Indigenous people of Mindanao tobe united for the common good of our people. We are in solidarity, insorrow and in prayer with the family, friends, the community of Fr.Bossi, the Italian people and all peoples of sincere hearts who workfor a better and peaceful world. It is our belief that those who dogood in the name of Allah/God will find favor in His eyes, and good will be given to them."

At a forum, Ms. Boniver said they have received or seen pictures ofFr. Bossi, which indicate he is alive and in good health. "But we donot know when exactly those images have been taken. We hope that they(photos) were taken in these very days as we don't have any kind ofinformation about that."

She thanked the Philippine authorities for the efforts it provided inthe search for Fr. Bossi while she expressed hopes that the effortscontinue in order to find out the priest location and who abductedhim, "especially the end result of bringing him back home safely shallbe pursued relentlessly."

Asked if the Italian government is willing to pay board and lodging,Ambassador Fidele replied: "This question has been post to me manytimes. But we don't know anything and we don't know what their requestis. We cannot decide in something that we don't know, but we can't payransom."

Meanwhile, the Italian official strongly denied having establishedcontact with kidnappers of Fr. Bossi. "No it is not the Italianauthority that to establish contact with the kidnappers of Fr.Giancarlo Bossi because this is the exclusive task of the Philippinesauthorities," said Boniver.

Adding, "it will be extraordinary if we should interfere with theinvestigation. That's not our job in any case we are notinvestigating. It does not mean however that there is nocollaboration."

She explained her brief mission here and the job, which the ambassadordoes in the Philippines everyday, testify to the fact the close,friendly and factual relations between the Philippines and Italy.

The lady Italian lawmaker also confirmed photographs showing Fr. Bossi looking thin and drawn have been sent to PIME almost a month after he was abducted in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

"We have seen photos of Fr. Bossi, who is in good health and goodcondition but we don't know exactly when those pictures have beentaken so we hope that they were taken in these days. So let's hope."

PIME rules out religious conflict in Italian priest's kidnapping
text HADER GLANG

The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) has ruled out religious conflict as the motive for the kidnapping of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, who was seized by six gunmen in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay twenty five days ago.

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, president of the Silsillah Dialogue Movement who serves as PIME regional spokesman based in Zamboanga City, said they consider the incident as a kidnap-for-ransom.

“Although some want to speculate like political in nature but I believe the major reason is ransom,” D’Ambra told reporters in an interview in Zamboanga City international airport on Tuesday.

In a press release, Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi, PIME Superior General, also said: “To view the event as a conflict between Christians and Muslims is for the time being unjustified.”

“In fact, according to PIME officials in the Philippines, the recent controversy in Italy runs the risk of being counterproductive, making the release of our Brother even more difficult,” it said.

But other sources said the Italian priest’s kidnapping could be a reprisal from certain Muslims who are protesting over the publication in Italy of defamatory caricature of Prophet Mohammad, which was first published by a Danish newspaper.

It will be recalled sometime in February 2006, newspapers and journals in Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Spain had republished the offending caricature despite worldwide protests by Muslims.

Muslims all over the world protested the act, calling it as a blatant disregard for Islamic sensitivities over the use of such images, which are particularly insulting and forbidden by Islam.

Ustadz Shariff Julabbi, a member of the Bishop Ulama Council of the Philippines (BUCP), maintained that an organized criminal gang was behind the abduction in a bid to get money from PIME.

“I have to make an appeal to this group to release Bossi unconditionally because he is a man of peace and a religious man,” said Julabbi. “In Islam, non-combatants especially the priest, children and women must not be harmed.”

The MILF rebels helping in the search for the kidnapped Italian priest have pulled out from the rescue mission to allow government forces to operate on its own, a report said Wednesday.

It said the decision to leave Bossi's rescue operation to the military was arrived at after discussions among AHJAG officials, including Marine Maj. Gen. Mohammad "Ben" Dolorfino and lawyer Abdul Dataya.

“The military forces are in control of the situation. This means they know exactly the area of Fr. Bossi, but probably they have not contacted yet except that within 24 hours many things can happen,” said D’Ambra.

Contrary to earlier reports by government and MILF negotiators that the kidnappers have taken Bossi to Lanao province, D’Ambra believes his fellow priest is still in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The military had earlier admitted it had obtained proof of life of the kidnapped Italian priest, but declined to name the source, so as not to jeopardize the ongoing search and recovery operations.