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ARMM POLITICS

The President's men for August 11, 2008 ARMM gubernatorial race. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially present the two leading LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD candidates - Re-electionists ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and Vice-Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong during the Presentation of ARMM Candidates held in Davao City on June 18, 2008. With them are Speaker Prospero Nograles (right) and Senator Miguel Zubiri (left).

Negotiators for freed Ces Drilon in hot water

Father and son. Mayor Alvarez Isnaji (right) of Indanan, Sulu and his son Jun who negotiated for the release of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist and three other companions are indicted for kidnap.

Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Indanan, Sulu and his son Jun are in hot water after witnesses of police authorities implicated the two for alleged involvement in the abduction of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, her cameramen, and a university professor.

Kidnappers chose Mayor Isnaji as the "negotiator" for the release of Ces Drilon, her crew Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama including Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University, while the young Isnaji acted as one of the emissaries.

ABS-CBN reported yesterday quoting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Avelino Razon as saying, "Based on the revelations given by witnesses, we have seen that Mayor Alvarez Isnaji is a principal suspect in this kidnapping case of Ces Drilon."

The report also said kidnap for ransom charges will be filed against the town mayor and his son who negotiated for the release of a television news team over circumstantial evidence that the two had connived with the Abu Sayyaf group.

The witnesses include government officials and policemen who know certain facts relating to the kidnapping case" and were present during the incident, Razon said but declined to elaborate, it said.

After Drilon's group was released and their statements were taken, Razon said, "The fact that Mayor Alvarez Isnaji was involved in the kidnapping unraveled." Razon also said there were "inconsistencies" in Isnaji's statement.

Ces Drilon, her two cameramen and the professor were abducted last June 8. Valderama was released June 12 after payment of P100,000 board and lodging fee. Ces Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo were released late Tuesday night. Both authorities and ABS-CBN denied P15 million ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

The Isnajis were brought to the CIDG Wednesday and underwent "tactical interrogation." They are still under the custody of the CIDG.

Razon also noted that the town mayor was appointed by the kidnappers as their negotiator with government, even as the local officials tapped Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula to hold negotiations.

"Mayor Isnaji was not among the government negotiators. He was negotiating for the kidnap for ransom group. The mayor's son was a conduit and was also talking [with the kidnappers] and doing the things that his father was doing.

As this developed, Mayor Isnaji insisted that he and his son were not involved in the abduction of the ABS-CBN News crew and their guide in Indanan, Sulu province.

He denied that the ransom money that was supposedly paid for the victims' release went to his pockets and his campaign kitty for the August elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Mayor Isnaji is one of the seven contenders for gubernatorial race while his son Jun is running for assemblyman (representing Sulu district) in the August 11 ARMM polls.

He added that he and his son should be rewarded for negotiating for the release of the television crew. "I was surprised. I thought I should be given reward or what."

The young Isnaji, meanwhile, suspects that he and his father are caught between a raging political war. "Ces must know better. Maybe we are just caught in the middle between political in the country," he said.

He appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to file charges against his father. "I'm appealing to the government to reconsider everything, because my father has been advocating peace in Mindanao."

Isnaji's fellow leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) questioned his arrest, saying that he played a major role and was successful as the emissary in the negotiations for the release of Ces Drilon and three others.

"Yet, the same local chief executive is now being charged for kidnapping," Abdul Sahrin, MNLF secretary-general. "We're expecting congratulatory messages from President Arroyo herself and other top Malacañang officials for the efforts of the mayor."

But Sahrin and other MNLF members who gathered at a local hotel here yesterday were obviously not happy seeing Isnaji and his son on television, being escorted by police in Manila where they were subjected to tactical interrogation.

"Isnaji is a well-respected mayor in Sulu and he's the common candidate of MNLF for governor in the upcoming ARMM elections. We could only suspect that there might be some sectors that are behind the character assassination against him," the MNLF secretary general said.

Ces Drilon, 2 other captives freed

Faces of Ces Drilon nine days after her freedom from Abu Sayyaf captors. The award-winning ABS-CBN broadcast journalist was freed before midnight Tuesday in the hinterlands of the town of Indanan, Sulu.

Ces Oreña-Drilon, the ABS-CBN broadcast journalist kidnapped along with her two TV news crew and a university professor in Sulu on June 8, was freed late Tuesday evening after ten days in captivity in the hinterlands of the troubled island province.

In an interview at a tightly guarded La Vista Del Mar in Zamboanga City, Drilon briefly talked about her 10 day ordeal with kidnappers, saying that she and her cameramen were betrayed and that was the caused for their abduction in Indanan town.

"I've been in and out of Mindanao…all my years are journalism…gusto ko lang maintindihan iyong situasyon dito, gumawa ng istorya tungkol dito. Sa kasawiang palad medyo, there were some betrayal involved kaya kami na-kidnap," she said.

Asked by fellow journalists on how they were treated by their captors while in captivity, Drilon said they were tied at some point and were threatened to be beheaded and at one time she was slapped while talking to Senator Loren Legarda.

"But other than that I could say we were generally treated well in a perverse kind of way," she added.

Drilon had publicly thanked Senator Legarda, whom she described as their lifeline and who worked for unconditional release, and also Mayor Isnaji, his son Haider for their efforts which paved the way for their safe release.

"I thank so much Senator Legarda…we were together in ABS-CBN at a time where there was no one or everybody I could reach at one point in our captivity and Loren was a lifeline to us," she said.

"I would like to mention also Mayor Isnaji and his son Jun…they were also in great help in getting our freedom. At sa mga kasamahan ko sa media…alam kong nag-dasal kayo para makalaya kami at siyempre sa kapamilya ABS-CBN sa sakit ng ulo ng ibinigay ko…pasensiya na…I mean it's overwhelming iyong suporta para sa amin hindi ko inakala."

The award winning broadcast journalist Ms. Drilon and her companions, including Jimmy Encarnacion and Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University were freed by their abductors to government negotiators at around 11:53 p.m.

Tuesday in the hinterlands of Indanan town. The Abu Sayyaf last week freed Drilon's cameraman Angelo Valderama after negotiators reportedly paid P100,000 "board and lodging." But it was not known whether a ransom was paid or not.

The kidnappers had earlier demanded P15 million in exchange for the victims' release. Drilon's group was seized June 8 in the town of Maimbung while on their way to meet with an Abu Sayyaf terror leader Radulan Sahiron, whose group is believed to be holding the hostages.

Aside from Sahiron, military and police also tagged Albader Parad, Gafur Jumdail and Umbra Jumdail as involved in the kidnappings along with two others Walid alias Tuan Walis and Sulayman Patta.

The United States government listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known leaders.

National Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr. told a press conference at La Vista del Mar in Zamboanga City yesterday that Isnaji is not yet a suspect.

He, however, confirmed that the mayor and his son were flown to Manila for debriefing. He added that the PNP has started collating results of the debriefing conducted on Drilon's crew and professor Octavio Dinampo to get the "big picture" of the latest terrorist abduction in Mindanao.

"That is what we are determining from the debriefing. We will integrate all these reports. Merge them and get the bigger picture of what really happened," Razon said.

He also confirmed Drilon's statement that there was a betrayal prior to the abduction.

According to Razon, police investigators have finished debriefing the four kidnap victims, who were separately interviewed by the probers.

The police official clarified that Dinampo was never treated as a suspect. "Siya ay kasama sa mga victims," he said.

When asked if Isnaji and his son are being treated as suspects, Razon said "not at this point in time. The Isnajis are also going through the same debriefing process in Manila.'

Razon announced that even as probers have yet to determine the identities of the abductors, members of the military's Task Force Comet and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police have launched pursuit operations against the suspects.

The police chief said the abductors are Abu Sayyaf members. He added that the two suspects -- Sulayman Patta alias Abu Harris and Walid alias Tuan Wals – are members of the bandit group.

A P500,000 reward each for the two identified suspects have been offered by the PNP. Razon said the pieces of evidence and the results of the debriefing on the victims will be used by policemen to identify and arrest the abductors.

The PNP had earlier announced that kidnapping charges were being readied against Patta and Sulayman and several John Does. HG

Abu Sayyaf ultimatum for Ces Drilon extended
Police artist's sketches of Ces Drilon kidnap suspects, which National Police Director General Avelino Razon presented to the media during a command conference at the police regional headquarters in Zamboanga City on Tuesday. The suspects were identified as Walid, alias Tuan Walis (left), and Sulayman Patta alias Amah Ma'as and Abu Haris. The PNP has offered a reward of P1-million, or P500,000 each, for the capture of Patta and Walid.

An ultimatum set by the kidnappers of a broadcast journalist and three other companions including two-television crew and a university professor in the southern Philippines has been indefinitely extended, hostage crisis negotiators said.

The extension was announced Tuesday by Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, the chief negotiator for the release of television reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon of ABS-CBN and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Professor Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University.

The kidnappers, believed Abu Sayyaf militants, have demanded for P15 million ransom in exchange for the safe release of three remaining hostages. On Monday, they gave the victims' families deadline to pay the ransom by midday on yesterday.

Mayor Isnaji, through his son Jun, told reporters covering the hostage drama in Indanan town the ultimatum had been extended, saying that they now have more time to negotiate – beyond the original deadline that would have expired at 12 noon or 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

"The kidnappers have agreed to continue the negotiations for the release of victims. They also promised not to harm them (captives)," the young Isnaji said. "The kidnappers had threatened to behead the victims but had changed their minds."

According to Isnaji, the kidnappers have now opened their lines and are now discussing with negotiators on alternatives to ransom the remaining hostages in the form of livelihood projects or other socio-economic development in the area.

"Sana kami ay nananalangin na maayos ito sa lalong madaling panahon (We hope we are praying for the immediate resolution of this (crisis)," he told newsmen covering in Sulu.

On Sunday, the military shelled rebel positions in Indanan town but denied that the operation had anything to do with the kidnapping.

According to Isnaji, the military action angered the kidnappers and if this is not stopped could jeopardize the on going negotiations with the kidnappers.

But despite this, about 150 Sulu policemen in full battle gear have prepared since Tuesday for any eventualities that may arise in the troubled island province in the light of the kidnapping of Ces Drilon.

"We're ready for whatever eventualities that may happen as the deadline set by kidnappers until 12 noon expires today. This was the order to me from the higher headquarters," said Sulu police provincial chief Julasirim Kasim.

Kasim added: "We are ready to react for any eventualities. We are ready at all cost. We're ready. What I'm implementing today is the readiness of the Sulu provincial police office. About 150 of us are waiting for the instruction of superiors.

Last June 8, gunmen seized Drilon's team and a university professor while on their way to Maimbuing to secretly interview Radulan Sahiron who sent surrender feeler. Cameraman Angelo Valderama was released last week.

As the 2 p.m. extended deadline expired yesterday, the families of Drilon and Encarnacion pleaded anew with members of the Abu Sayyaf to free their captives.

"Maawa na po kayo sa kanila. Ginagawa lang po nila ang trabaho nila as reporter…hindi po reporters ang dapat niyong kinukuha…kaya nakikiusap ho kami sa inyo pakawalan niyo na ang mother ko hirap na hirap na po kami dito," a son of Ces Drilon appealed over a national radio.

The wife of Encarnacion, meanwhile, appealed: "Sana po makarating ito sa kumuha sa asawa ko…wala naman po silang nagawang masama sa inyo…nagta-trabaho lang siya ng marangal kaya siya nandidiyan…hindi na po namin alam kung ano'ng gagawin namin…mahal na mahal po namin si Jimmy…maawa na po kayo sa kanila pakawalan niyo na po sila."

ARMM POLITICS

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Rare Reunion - Re-electionist Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(left, seated) share a light moment with the founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, Nur Misuari, during Misuari's surprise visit at Ampatuan's residence in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao June 2, where they discussed "various concerns." Misuari, thereafter, announced he will not support the bid of a former follower in the MNLF, Alvarez Isnaji, for the ARMM's gubernatorial post during the area's August 11 elections. Misuari, who is still facing rebellion charges, is out of detention on bail.

Ces Drilon's kidnappers give ultimatum

Mayor Alvarez Isnaji (right) of Indanan, Sulu is currently negotiating for the release of Ces Drilon and two other companions seized by Abu Sayyaf on June 8 while on their way to Maimbung. He's one of the seven contenders for gubernatorial race in the August 11, 2008 ARMM election.

The fate of ABS-CBN journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon and companions seized by Abu Sayyaf militants remains uncertain after the kidnappers gave the victims' families until 12 noon Tuesday to give the ransom or face unspecified consequences.

Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Indanan, Sulu, the hostage crisis negotiator, relayed the ultimatum Monday from the captors, who are still holding captives Drilon and her cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and a companion Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University.

The deadline came as heavily armed troops shelled a forested area on a jungle in Indanan town, where Abu Sayyaf militants are believed holding three remaining captives, injuring a woman resident in the area.

"So far nakatawag kanina sa akin about 10 minutes ago, si Ces Drilon sabi niya sa akin mayor naiba ang situasyon dito dahil hinigpitan na raw sila pati iyong kasama niya. So sabi ko huwag naman ganun at saka iyong deadline nila hanggang bukas" said Isnaji in Tagalog dialect.

"Huwag naman sabi ko dahil sabi niya mayron na usapan sa Manila nung parents daw e aakyat na lang dito ang gusto nila. Mayor magtulong ka talaga dito dahil mayron na daw silang policy…ipaalam sa lahat hanggang 12 o'clock bukas Tuesday."

Drilon's group including Prof. Dinampo were kidnapped June 8 while on their way to Maimbung town to secretly interview an Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, who reportedly sent surrender feelers. Sahiron's group is believed behind the abduction.

According to Isnaji, he was worried the military's shelling could endanger the lives of the hostages. He foresees that if the military continues its operation to the other areas could certainly affect his negotiation with the kidnappers.

One of two ABS-CBN cameramen, Angelo Valderama, was freed by the Abu Sayyaf group late Thursday in the village of Sinumaan in Talipao town after a few hundred thousand pesos was reportedly paid to the kidnappers.

Isnaji said Ms. Drilon called (via cellular phone) to inform him that their situation there has changed because their captors have strictly restricted them. He also said that Drilon has seriously asked him to help secure their release.

The Abu Sayyaf chose Isnaji to negotiate for the release of the hostages. The kidnappers were demanding as much as P50 million for the release of all the victims, but Isnaji said the kidnappers have asked only for P15 million.

US listed the Abu Sayyaf as a foreign terrorist organization and has offered rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of its known key leaders. American troops are deployed in Sulu since 2006 and assisting Filipino soldiers against terrorism.

The families of Drilon and Encarnacion, meanwhile, branded as “erroneous” reports that they were negotiating independently with the abductors.

"Only Mayor Isnaji is directly communicating with the kidnappers,” said the relatives of the kidnapped journalists in a statement.

They said they are counting on Isnaji “for the release of Ces and Jimmy and continue to pray for his efforts."

For its part, ABS-CBN, Drilon’s network dismissed allegations that it has abandoned its reporter and crew but reiterated that it would continue to abide by its “no ransom policy.”

“We are deeply saddened and troubled by accusations that ABS-CBN has abandoned Ces and Jimmy,” the network said in a statement Monday.

“ABS-CBN is doing everything it can to help them and their families through this harrowing ordeal,” it said.

“However, ABS-CBN will abide by its policy not to pay ransom because this would embolden kidnap for ransom groups to abduct other journalists, putting more lives at risk,” it said.

Isnaji said Drilon pleaded for help. The mayor said he also talked to the kidnappers, asking them not to hurt Drilon and her companions.

He said the kidnappers informed him that they were able to talk to Drilon's family that has agreed to pay the P15-million ransom.

The money, the kidnappers claimed, should be brought to the mayor by a representative of the Drilon family, Isnaji said.

He said the ransom was reduced from P20 million to P15 million, based on what was allegedly agreed upon by the kidnappers and Drilon's family.

If ransom were not paid by the deadline, Isnaji said, the kidnappers would take a "strong position."

He, however, denied threats by the captors who said that they would start executing the remaining hostages if the demands were not met.

Ces Drilon of ABS-CBN, 2 cameramen, university professor seized in Sulu

Veteran broadcast journalist Ces Drilon of the giant ABS-CBN television network and three others were abducted by suspected extremist Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) in Maimbung, Sulu, police officials said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director, said Ms Drilon and her two cameramen and a companion Octavio Dinampo were seized at Barangay Kulasi in Maimbung town.

The identities of the two cameramen were not immediately known. The lady ABS CBN senior correspondent and her cameramen were in Sulu since Saturday from Zamboanga City when the abduction took place, according to a source from Sulu provincial police office.

Police confirmed they were abducted by Abu Sayyaf militants led by Albader Parad, saying they were taken to the hinterlands of Indanan town.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan immediately convened the Crisis Management Committee (CMC)) to address the situation.

Prior to their abduction, Drilon and her cameramen were billeted at the Sulu State College hostel in Jolo town. They left on Saturday afternoon after ordering foods, sources said.

Drilon's team was the second from the ABS-CBN to be kidnapped in Sulu. Reporter Maan Macapagal and her cameraman Val Cuenca were also kidnapped in thew troubled island province while working on exclusive news on the Abu Sayyaf.

Ms Drilon is only among the famous Filipino journalists kidnapped in Sulu. Freelance journalist and Net 25 broadcast anchorwoman Arlyn dela Cruz was also kidnapped in Sulu while covering the Abu Sayyaf.

Another photojournalist Gene Boyd Lumawag of the Mindanao News was shot in the head by an Abu Sayyaf militant while shooting the sunset in Sulu several years ago.

The Abu Sayyaf had also seized foreign journalists covering the group's kidnapping of 21 Asian and Western holidaymakers from Sabah. Most of those kidnapped were freed in exchange for ransom.

ABS-CBN: Official Statement on Ces Drilon

10 June 2008

ABS-CBN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON CES DRILON:

Three ABS-CBN journalists Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama are missing in Sulu.

All efforts are underway to find them and bring them home.

Until we learn more details, ABS-CBN News requests other media to report on this matter with utmost consideration for the safety of our news team.

ABS-CBN News is in touch with the families and asks that their privacy be respected.

MILF foresees collapse in truce with Philippine government

A high-ranking official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Friday expected the ceasefire with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) to "collapse" after August 31, 2008.

"If the peace panels of the GRP and MILF fail to meet and inject new lease of life to the International Monitoring Team (IMT)," Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, said in a report posted on Luwaran.com.

Iqbal expressed this view during a meeting with international and local non-government organizations right after the launching of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan last June 4.

He was joined in during the close-door dialogue by other members of the MILF Peace Panel namely, Moro lawyers Atty. Lanang Ali, Atty. Michael Mastura, and Atty. Musib Buat.

Also present during the dialogue were Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF Peace Panel Secretariat, Atty. Abdul Dataya, head of the MILF AHJAG, Al Camlian, head of the MILF Technical Committee, and Dr. Tomanda Antok, head of the BLMI.

"There are procedures in the peace talks that the Parties must follow and cited the case of the IMT, saying the tour of duty of the IMT can only be extended, including inviting other countries to join it, during a meeting of the panels," Iqbal explained.

According to him, the GRP and MILF peace panels must meet before August 31, which is the end of the mandate of the present IMT, and decide to renew its mandate and tour of duty in Mindanao.

He clarified that this renewal is not automatic, because IMT member countries such as Malaysia, Libya, Brunei, and Japan have the final say whether to act on the joint request favorably or not.

However, Iqbal said that as far as he knows the MILF will not agree to resume talks with the government just to extend the IMT tour of duty, which he described as a "side issue."

"If we resume, we will zero-in on the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD). This is the main agenda of the talks. We can discuss the IMT after hurdling the MOA-AD," he told his audience.

The audience included Dr. Steven Rood of the Asia Foundation and Atty. Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao People's Caucus. European Ambassador Alistair MacDonald failed to attend the dialogue, because of prior important commitment.

Iqbal furthered that if the IMT mandate is not renewed before August 31, all the IMT contingents will all go home, and the ceasefire between the MILF and government will eventually collapse due to shattered trust and confidence between the Parties to the talks.

Meanwhile, Mastura told the group that the "due diligence study" of the proposed draft MOA-AD conducted by the government is already more than three months since February 22, when the Parties' peace negotiators, through the intercession of Datuk Othman bin Abdulrazak, the chief Malaysian facilitator, have practically sealed an agreement on this subject. HG

ARMM Politics

Matalam, Ampatuan, Isnaji file COC for ARMM regional governor in August 11 election

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan formally began his re-election bid last May 29, 2008, entering the forthcoming August 11, 2008 political exercise in the autonomous region, home nearly two million registered voters.

The ARMM governor, through Engr. Norie Unas, regional secretariat of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party for ARMM, filed his certificate of candidacy to run for re-election at the ARMM Commission on Election regional office in Zamboanga City.

Unas, accompanied by supporters including governors Sakur Tan (Sulu), Jum Akbar (Basilan), Mamintal Adiong Jr. (Lanao del Sur), and Moro National Liberation Front Vice chairman Hatimil Hassal said they chose incumbent Vice Governor Ansaruddin Adiong as Ampatuan running mate.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Faysah Dumarpa, Shariff Kabunsuan Acting Gov. Dr. Ibrahim Ibay; Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin; Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay; Lantawan Mayor Tahira Ismael, and Tongkil Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidulla, also appeared in yesterterday's press conference to show their strong support to Ampatuan re-election bid.

"He is (Ampatuan) is seeking another term in response to the clamor of the ARMM's six provincial governors, over 100 city and town mayors, congressmen and their constituents," he told reporters in a press conference.

The Lakas-CMD National Directorate led by President Arroyo, national chairman, on May 10 endorsed the re-election of Ampatuan, Vice Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong and the 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) through Resolution No. 08-2008.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles and other party bigwigs also signed the resolution in recognition of the ARMM officials' loyalty to the Lakas-CMD and their hard work for their people.

According to Unas, the Lakas-CMD is fielding a formidable complete slate for the coming political exercise, regional governor and vice governor and 24 assemblymen.

Ampatuan, 40, began his political carrier while still adolescent, as municipal chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan in their home town, Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao province in the 1980s. He displayed his steadfast service to the youth that led to his election to ARMM assemblyman and then mayor.

He then continued his unwavering service that catapulted him to the top post in the autonomous region. In his tenure as regional governor, the region further thrived and developed wherein the local government units have been empowered, particularly in managing their socio-economic projects.

If given the chance for a second term, Ampatuan's main agenda would be peace and security, economic development, improved delivery of basic services, and his continuing support for the Mindanao peace processes between the Philippine government and the rebels, according to Unas.

Meanwhile, after meeting with supporters at his home in Zamboanga City, gubernatorial aspirant Alvarez Isnaji proceeded on Monday to the ARMM-Commission on Election regional office here to file his certificate of candidacy.

“As a common candidate of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), I will run my campaign based on principles,” said Isnaji who was accompanied by his son assembly aspirant Haider of Sulu and their party-mates.

Isnaji was also accompanied by representatives of newly-installed MNLF chairman Muslimin Sema, other fellow MNLF leaders and some Bangsamoro women to show their strong support to his gubernatorial bid in the August 11 ARMM elections.

Fresh from Libya meeting on May 18, where he was chosen as among the six-man transition leadership and unification committee (TLUC) of the Tripoli Declaration signed by 10 MNLF top leaders, Isnaji said, “I am running under the Kampi party.”

Isnaji said his campaign will emphasize on the peace and security as well as regaining back the governance of ARMM to MNLF leadership and other advocacies such as transforming the ARMM governance into self-reliant.

In the MNLF Central Committee meeting in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur last April 1 to 3, 2008, the incumbent mayor of Indanan, Sulu was proclaimed as the “common candidate” of the MNLF for governor in the upcoming autonomous region polls.

Asked about the support of MNLF to his gubernatorial bid, he said: “It’s very overwhelming. Even today, they’re all here, even those from Palawan, Lanao, Davao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi to show their support to my candidacy.”

The mayor added that he’s very overwhelmed by the support of the MNLF which gives him high morale to go pursue his gubernatorial bid. “From the very beginning, they (MNLF members) have been supportive of me.”

In a related development, Attorney Vidjfar A. Julie of ARMM Comelec regional office based in Zamboanga City said Mayor Isnaji was the third person so far to file his candidacy for regional governor in the August 11 ARMM election.

Isnaji, surrounded by members of his family and staff, filed his CoC at Vidjvar office at about 10:00 in the morning.

According to Julie, so far his office received the certificates of candidacies (for governor) of former ARMM Vice Gov. Guimid Matalam (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino), re-electiopnist ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan (Lakas-CMD) and Mayor Isnaji (Kampi).

For vice governor, he said his office received the CoC of re-electionist ARMM Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong (Lakas-CMD). “So in all, we have four certificates of candidacies in the regional level.”

The regional assembly aspirants filed their respective CoC at their respective provincial Comelec office, the ARMM-Comelec regional official said. HG

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