Kidnapped Ateneo nursing student freed in Basilan

Freed Joed Anthony Pilangga reunites with his parents as Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul (left) looks on inside the Philippine Navy headquarters in Upper Calarian a day after the hostage's release on Christmas eve Wednesday in Basilan. Photo Courtesy WesMinCom PIO

Ateneo de Zamboanga University nursing student Joed Anthony Pilangga was freed on Christmas eve Wednesday by his kidnappers after more than two months of captivity in Basilan, a provincial government official said.

The 17-year old Pilangga was abandoned by his captors to the emissaries of Basilan Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul at around 9:20 p.m. at vicinity between the villages of Magkawa and Poblacion in Tipo-Tipo.

Sakkalahul, chairman of the Basilan's Crisis Management Committee (CMC) who negotiated for the release of Pilangga, said pressures from the military and police compelled the kidnappers to free the hostage.

He said following the release, his emissaries took Joed to his residence in Tipo-Tipo to rest overnight. The next day, he said he turned over the freed hostage to the 1st Marine Brigade in Tabiawan, Isabela City.

The vice governor did not give further details surrounding Pilangga's release, but hailed the combined military and police efforts that freed the kidnapped victim, and thanked his counterparts who helped him secure the release of the hostage.

It was not known whether any ransom was paid, although Pilangga's family earlier told media that they regularly turned over money to the kidnappers for Joed's "board and lodging" expenses.

The military said parents of Joed have declined a media presentation at the military's Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) headquarters.

"Please be informed that the parents of Joed have declined to be interviewed. I hope we can all symphatize with their plight. However, they have mentioned that the vice governor can speak on their behalf," said 1st Lt. Esteffani Caho, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, in a text message.

Cacho issued the statement after some members of the WesMinCom's Defense Press Corps complained that they were prevented by navy officials at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters from taking footage and photos of Pilangga.

Pilangga, however, answered media phone interviews. He said his captors treated him well and fed him fish, vegetables and noodles during his 68-day ordeal in the hinsterlands, but had threatened to kill him if they did not get the ransom.

The young Pilangga was reported missing October 17 by the city police until his parents broke their silence to say that their son was kidnapped in Zamboanga City and brought by his captors to Basilan province.

Abu Sayyaf was tagged by authorities as behind the kidnapping. The group is still holding 9-year old April Nicole Raviche, who was kidnapped Nov. 26 in Lamitan City and demanded P4 million for her freedom.

Twin bomb explosions in Iligan City kill 2 people, injure 47 others

Two bomb explosions rocked few minutes apart in Iligan City, killing two people and injuring at least thirty-five others Thursday afternoon in two shopping centers, authorities said.

The first explosion went off at around 1:25 p.m. at the Uni City Commercial Center and five minutes after another blast occurred at the Jerry Shoppers Plaza, military sources said.

Both shopping stores are located at Aguinaldo Street in Palao.

The bombs were left in the baggage counters of the two shopping centers, said Army 1st Lt. Esteffani Cacho, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command.

"The first explosion injured two people and damage of a van and the second blast killed two and injured four others," Cacho said.

However, Cacho's updated report (as of 4:00 p.m. Thursday) showed that the number of injured victims increased to 47 while the number of slain victims remain two.

She said the victims of the twin blasts were rushed to the different hospitals in Iligan City and their identities are not yet known.

A radio report said a baggage counter clerk at one of the stores was one of the fatalities.

Cacho said a team of bomb squads with K9 units of the 403rd Brigade were sent to the blast cites to help police authorities in the investigation.

Top military officials at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters would not comment about question on who may be responsible for the twin blasts.

Late August this year, two homemade bombs exploded almost simultaneously in two budget hotels in Iligan City, wounding at least four people.

Leaders of anti-homeland deal suspected rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels under Commander Bravo were responsible for the August two bomb attacks.

Remote Lanao village gets water system, solar drier from World Bank

Safe drinking water has never been so abundant in a remote predominantly Maranaw barangay in the first district of Lanao del Sur until a foreign donor came in and intervened.

Residents of Barangay Talaguian, located at the border of Lanao del Sur's adjoining Poona-Bayabao and Masiu towns, in fact, got from World Bank not just a water system project, but a solar drier for the agricultural produce as well.

Hadja Leamen Laut, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer of the so-called Lanao Sur A, which groups all of the towns in the first district of the province, said there has been dramatic improvements in the lives of people in the once impoverished barangay as a result of the World Bank projects.

Both the World Bank and the Japan Bank on International Cooperation (JBIC) channels all of their assistance for poor areas in Southern Philippines through the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project (ASFP).

Health authorities in Lanao del Sur said there have been a sharp decline in cases of water-borne diseases, such as dysentery and gastro-enteritis, after the ASFP and local villagers have constructed, as a community venture, a water system Barangay Talaguian.

"People there now have access to clean, safe drinking water," Laut said.

The office of Laut, the local government unit which has jurisdiction over Barangay Talaguian, and various community organizations joined ranks and built the water system and the solar drier in their barangay.

About 80 percent of residents in the barangay rely on farming as a source of income and the solar drier, thus, improved their productivity.

People in the barangay had used portions of a concrete national highway traversing their villages as drier for the rice and corn grains, causing inconvenience to motorists.

"Now we have our solar drier we can use for drying our harvests. What is nice about the project is that it is community-constructed, community owned," Muntia Kasim, 34, said.

Japan assists ARMM Social Fund Projects In Lanao

What once ranked eighth in the list of the 10 poorest barangays in Lanao del Sur is now one of the most progressive, virtually made progressive the "bayanihan" style by feuding Maranaw families that were so hostile to each other before.

It was only when residents in Barangay Micolabo in Picong, Lanao del Sur decided to unite and cohesively address underdevelopment, as a consequence of clan wars involving local families that peace and development started to spread in their villages.

It was Barangay Micolabo's being so poor and for having been previously dubbed "wild, wild west" of Picong town that enticed the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to intervene, through the conduit for its projects in the South, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project (ASFP).

Both JBIC and World Bank channel through the ASFP their assistance to impoverished communities in the South.

Bai Annie Ampuan, who monitors all Japanese-assisted projects of ASFP in Lanao del Sur, said it was for the mandatory involvement of local villagers in the construction of a barangay health station, a communal coconut dyer, and a multi-purpose center that virtually forced residents in Micolabo to forget about their bloody clan wars, come together and manage the three projects by themselves.

The ASFP is jointly managed by ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, lawyer Mustapha Sambolawan and the ASFP's finance director, Alejando Coscos.

The ARMM police have pegged to 2,300 the number of loose firearms in Micolabo just a year before the JBIC came in to intervene.

"Life was so miserable in Barangay Micolabo then. We lived in fear, in dire poverty and there was immense feeling of neglect by government," Maranaw farmer Gandasuri Mamacotao, 50, said in the vernacular.

Local officials said the construction by feuding Micolabo residents of a communal coconut dryer have ushered in dramatic improvements in the area's economy.

The ARMM's trade and industry, and agriculture departments have both recorded a sharp upswing in the production of copra from Barangay Micolabo in the past eight months.

"The copra coming from that area are now well-dried and, thus, have high commercial value," said the ARMM's agriculture secretary, Kesie Usman.

Corrine Tabua, who is the provincial social welfare officer of Lanao del Sur's Area B, which covers more than a dozen towns in the second district of the province, said credit also goes to the women of Barangay Micolabo, who provided extensive support to the construction of the three community-planned projects.

"You can even see the women in the area now attending peace dialogues at the newly-built multi-purpose center at the heart of Barangay Micolabo," Tabua said.

Tabua said people in Micolabo now no longer carry guns when they roam around, only farming tools. "Peace and development have set that barangay in sooner than we expected," he said.

Defense chief tells marines to root out kidnappers in Basilan

National Defense Chief Gilbert Teodoro accompanied by Navy Commodore Alexander Pama of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao pins military merit medal to marine soldiers during his visit Thursday at the 1st Marine Brigade headquarters in Tabiawan, Isabela City in Basilan.

Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro met with top Philippine Marine officials in Basilan Thursday as military operations against the kidnap-for-ransom groups reportedly linked with the Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels in the island province continues.

The defense chief held a closed-door talks with the Basilan-based military commanders led by Colonel Rustico Guerrero, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, at their headquarters in Tabiawan, Isabela City.

Secretary Teodoro was accompanied by Navy Commodore Alexander Pama of the Naval Forces South Western Mindanao and other military ranking officials from the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).

He told marines that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave explicit instructions to him through an Administrative Order "to get to the root of these kidnapping activities and to flush and root them out.

"We can't allow the reign of terror through kidnapping or what not to disrupt lives not merely here in Basilan, but in Zamboanga or wherever that be," he said.

The defense chief pinned military merit medals to 15 marines soldiers who clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front groups in Al Barka town.

He also joined a military's buddle fight before returning to Zamboanga City to visit the wounded soldiers confined at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Upper Calarian.

Col. Guerrero presented to him some recovered long firearms, including an M-16 rifle, Garand, as well as ammunitions, subversive documents and identification cards believed to be from the kidnappers.

The defense chief's visit to Basilan came after a series of encounters in Al Barka on Sunday that left at least five marine soldiers dead, 25 others wounded while the rebels suffered three dead, including a commander, and six others wounded.

"Unang una nais kong ipaabot ang sinsero at napakalalim na pasasalamat ng ating mahal na Pangulo para sa mga sakripisyo ninyo," Teodoro said in a brief speech before a contingent of heavily armed marines.

"Nandito tayo hindi lamang para lumaban sa mga kriminal kung hindi magbigay ng leksyon sa buong bansa na hindi natin pababayaan na ang mga kriminal magtago sa likod ng kahit sino man."

"Gusto natin ipakita sa buong Pilipinas na hindi natin pababayaan na magkalat ang mga kriminal dito. Dapat natin patunayan na mayrong Republika ng Pilipinas na magtatanggol sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan sa ilalim ng batas."

"Kaya huwag natin pababayaan ang mga kriminal nag maghari dito. We will continue to fight criminality. We have to put down the carrying of arms, the resort to armed violence to settle disputes, and the resort to arms to earn a living."

"We will finish off the threat. All those who are involved or give safe harbor to kidnappers for ransom should be included in the operations. I think that's clear. Of course (punitive action) is beyond debate it's a necessity."

"There's only one language that these kidnappers for ransom understand and that is for the law to take catch up with them. We have to have a strong and credible deterrent action to prevent their activities from forming," he concluded.

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Heavy fighting in Basilan leaves 5 Marine soldiers dead, 25 others wounded

Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps, pins wounded personnel medal to Capt. Julie Palanca, one of the wounded soldiers in a clash with Moro rebels in Basilan on Sunday, as Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga looks on during their visit at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

Heavy fighting between government troops and a combined Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels raged in the island province of Basilan over the weekend as the military said they suffered at least five soldiers dead and 25 others wounded.

Army 1st Lt. Esteffani Cacho, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said undetermined armed men attacked the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 based in Bohe Libong in Al Barka, triggering a series of clashes.

"During that series of encounterss which lasted until early morning, the government troops suffered five dead and 24 wounded on the marines side and for the Air Force, there was one pilot of the OV-10 that was wounded," Cacho told reporters.

She linked a combined forces of the Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) kidnap-for-ransom groups as the attackers who are responsible for many kidnappings of Basilan.

Eid Kabalu, senior MILF leader, confirmed their forces in Basilan suffered three dead, including Sattar Alih, head of the MILF ceasefire monitoring team in the island province, and six others injured in the fighting.

But he denied they were coddling the Abu Sayyaf and accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Sunday's fighting in Al Barka was the second major encounter since last year after marine soldiers searching for a kidnapped Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi, who was seized on June 10 in Zamboanga Sibugay, clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.

The fighting left 14 marines dead, but ten of them were later beheaded by the terrorists led by Puruji Indama. Bossi was freed six weeks later in Zamboanga del Sur province in exchange for a huge ransom.

Government forces have now confined the kidnappers to parts of Al Barka and its adjacent areas, according to Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).

He, however, declined to give further details on the ongoing military operations in Basilan.

Top military officials led by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, chief of the Philippine Marines Corps, and Gen. Allaga had pinned earlier wounded personnel medals to 25 Marine soldiers who clashed with the Abu Sayyaf and MILF in Al Barka.

The five slain soldiers were airlifted to Marine headquarters in Manila, where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would be visiting them on Wednesday as part of the tradition of Marines. They will be burried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Lieutenant Cacho also announced the release of seven quarry workers in Tuburan town who were abducted early December.

Freed were identified as Wagnerson Toledo, Tomas de Leon Jr., Albert Manolis, Rodel Fernando, Raffy Ragmak, Alfred Layam and Joebert Natividad. Three of them are from Labuan, Zamboanga City.

They were initially brought to the 1st Marine Brigade's headquarters in Tabiawan, Isabela City for debriefing and medical check up.

Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay on Monday night broke out the news of the seven quarry workers' release. Furigay, in a national media report, said the victims' release was phoned to him by the kidnappers around 9 p.m. Monday.

He said he called up Barangan Bulanting chairman Asdi Alki to fetch the victims in Tuburan.

Reports said local officials paid the kidnappers "board and lodging" in exchange of the quarry workers' release.

The seven workers were returning to their office on board a dump truck when they were stopped and taken by masked gunmen.

One of the freed workers told reporters that they were seized by about seven gunmen in fatigue uniforms and were tied while in captivity.

Asked if they were harmed by their captors while in captivity, De Leon said: "No hindi naman kami sinaktan. Pinakain kami tatlong beses sa isang araw."

Meanwhile, Cacho said the released seven quarry workers, which are three from Zamboanga City, one from Cagayan de Oro City, and three from Lamitan City, Basilan, were abducted by MILF.

It was learned they were abducted because the owner of the gravel company that they're working for has an offense with the MILF.

"They (7 workers) were taken in retaliation (by MILF). And in fact they further said that before they were released, their captors told them not to return to Basilan because they will be harmed," Cacho said.

Turkish school distributes beef meats to indigent families in Zamboanga

Butchers divide cows during Monday's distribution of beef meats for thousands of people, mostly indigents, at the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Sinunuc, Pitogo, this city.

The Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School slaughtered at least 700 heads of cattle and distributed its meat to thousands of people mostly needy people in the different villages in the city as part of the Muslim feast of Eid al-adha holiday.

Muslims sacrifice cows, sheep, goats and bulls during yesterday's Islamic religious holiday, a ritual commemorating the biblical account of Allah's provision of a ram for Prophet Abraham to sacrifice, as he was about to kill his son.

"This year, we planned to slaughter 700 cows within three days and this is an annual activity. We call it Qurban or Eid'l Adha," said Cihangir Arslan, the Turkish school high school director at Barangay Sinunuc, Pitogo in this city.

The budget used for the purchase of the cows came from donations of Turkey, Australia, Philippines and other parts in the world aimed at helping feed about 5,000 families in Manila and 25,000 families in Zamboanga City, Ipil, Basilan and Jolo, respectively.

The Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School was established in Zamboanga City in 1997 and since then has been actively involved in humanitarian activities, like the distribution of meat of beef to thousands of people, both Muslims and non-Muslims people.

"We give two kilos of beef for each beneficiary," Arslan said. "We have no expectation here. Those Muslims who can afford must do this charity. We are just distributing to make poor people happy at least once a year to taste beef."

He said the meat is intended for anyone as long as he or she is indigent. "This is not only for Muslims. We're not only sharing the meat for Muslims. We distribute also to our Christian brothers and sisters. The blessings are for everybody."

The estimated 1.5 billion-strong Muslim world called Ummah, including its Filipino members, paid tribute Monday to the patriarch Abraham's strong faith in God as they celebrated Eid'l Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice and one of Islam's biggest holidays.

This is told in the Qur'an, in Chapter 37, Verse 102:

"Then when (Abraham's son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him he said: 'O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now tell me what is thy view!' (The son) said: 'O my father! Do as thou art commanded. Thou will find me, if God so wills, among those who are patient in adversity!'

Muslims believe that God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son. Prophet Abraham obeyed but before he could slaughter his son, God at the last moment replaced his son with a ram for the sacrifice.

Thus, Eid'l Adha celebration through slaughtering an animal honors Abraham and his strong faith. The meat from the slaughtered goat, sheep or cow is divided in four equal parts: one quarter for the owner, a quarter for relatives, a quarter for friends, and the last quarter for the needy.

Anti-Moro homeland deal politicians put down MILF's Commander Bravo

Filipinos who strongly opposed the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front lower an anti-homeland deal streamer, which reads "Yes to peace, NO to BJE" and "Let us be united in the fight to retain integrity and sovereignty of Zamboanga City," from the balcony of City Hall. Photo below shows Mayor Celso Lobregat (center), North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol (2nd from left), Senator Mar Roxas (in blue shirt) pose for posterity with the folded anti-streamer that will be kept at the museum.

Political leaders who strongly opposed the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have put down a statement made by a rogue commander of the Moro rebel group responsible for a series of attacks in Lanao province.

At the same time, the anti-Bangsamoro homeland deal leaders downgraded the mass evacuation of thousands of people in the different parts of Mindanao as a result of the fighting between MILF rebels and government troops.

Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo of the MILF's l02nd base command has recently appeared on national television in full battle gear attire, flocked by his troops challenging government: "Ubusan ng lahi (blood feud)."

"It's easy to appear brave or even to sound brave but the question is can you really face off to the government forces and obviously they can't that's the reason why they're hiding," Piñol told reporters in a press conference at City Hall Wednesday.

Up to 500,000 people are displaced following weeks of fighting between government troops and MILF rebels in Central Mindanao. They are reportedly enduring poor health services and unsanitary conditions after fleeing the fighting.

But Piñol does not mind this. He said peace will only reign in this world if people stand up and say no. "If we say let's not put up a fight because people will go to the evacuation centers and people will die then we will be living in a world of cowards."

Piñol dared Commander Bravo's group: "If they're really brave as they claim they are, they would tell government 'okay I'm in this camp and get me. But when you issue brave statements and then hide under the skirt of your mother that's a different story."

For his part, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said a holistic approach and enforcement of the law not only focusing on social aspect are needed to attain peace in Mindanao.

"We're all for peace. You can't legislate peace. You can't force peace, but as long as there are kidnappers, there are terrorists there can be no peace," he said. "You have to make sure that the law is enforced. No one should be above the law."

Senator Mar Roxas depended the government and blamed MILF rebels for the evacuation of thousands of people in Mindanao, saying that it was not the government who started the problem.

"The fact that there are refugees, let us not use this so-called false argumentation that the reason there are refugees is the government's fault. That's false logic!" he said.

"These rebels, criminals are responsible for these evacuees and for the disruption of lives, deaths and casualties and these are the people responsible for the situation we have in today (in Mindanao)," he added.

MILF rebels, headed by Umbra Kato and Commandero Bravo, led their forces in a deadly rampage across several mostly Christian towns and villages in Lanao and other areas in Mindanao in August.

They claimed the attacks were in retaliation for a Supreme Court order freezing an MILF-government deal that would have given them control over an expanded autonomous region in the southern Philippines.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Piñol suggested that the only way to bring peace to Mindanao is for the government to take the problem seriously by starting with the idea of enforcing the law.

He agreed with the statement made by Senator Roxas, which proposes the deployment of police and soldiers all over the areas in Mindanao to enforce and implement the law to its full force that nobody should be exempted.

"That's the only way we can earn the respect of the people and that's the only we can bring back peace and tranquility to Mindanao initially, but at the same time moving forward you have to address the problems that result into conflict," Piñol said.

Thousands join peace walk, marking Mindanao Week of Peace celebration

Some youth who painted their faces and bodies while others with different colored flags as well as indigenous drums and streamers (with Arabic markings) are among the participants during the peace walk Thursday, which marked the start of weeklong celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace.

More than 10,000 people from all walks of life Thursday joined the “peace walk” in Zamboanga City, marking the start of the annual celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace from November 27 until December 3.

Youth, students, government employeesm, teachers, leaders of religious and inter-faith organizations as well as members from the multi-sectors took to the streets, carrying streamers with markings peace advocacy slogans.

Starting from the Petit Barracks, the crowd marched to the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex and gathered there to deliver a call for a peaceful solution to the conflict in the southern Philippines.

“It’s imperative on the communities of Christians, Muslims and Lumads to bring about durable and lasting peace through the integrity of mind and heart, humbly expressed in the reconciling process of repentance and forgiveness,” a joint statement of the Bishops-Ulama Conference said.

“Only this process, bolstered by socio-economic and political projects, can heal the wide wounds of the spirit. We urge all Mindanaoans, our fellow believers, to make this reconciliation process a top priority among our activities during the Mindanao Week of Peace 2008,” it concluded.

In an interview, Father Angel Calvo, president of the Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ), emphasized the need for the different communities, sectors and groups to engage positively in peace building and peace education.

“This is what we need. Learn about peace, learn how to build peace not only to dream and not only to complain against the officials for they’ve not done enough to maintain peace, but actively participating in peace campaign,” he said.

Atty. Manuel Mamauag, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights IX, on his part, called on the people to give peace a chance to change for a better.

“Why don’t we come out with an all out peace?” Mamauag asked.

He also advised the people to respect their neighbors and fellowmen since it is already an observance of respect for rights and rights to peace.

“Let the people be aware and have this consciousness, put in their minds and hearts,
peace is a result of respect for human rights,” he said.

“There is peace when you respect human rights and fundamental freedom,” the lawyer added.

"Integrity of Mind and Heart: A Way to Reconciliation and Peace" has become the theme of this year's Week of Peace celebration.

Kenney doesn't expect changes in policy on US troops presence in south

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney arrives in Zamboanga City to lead in the distribution of 250,000 books at the Book Fair organized by USAID's EQuALLS2.

US government officials based in the Philippines on Monday said they don't expect major changes in US policy toward the US military presence in the southern Philippines when US president-elect Barack Obama takes office on January.

Obama's perspective on the US-led global campaign against terrorism differs greatly from outgoing President George W. Bush. He calls for a complete withdrawal of American troops within 16 months.

"Let him takes office first on January. So we don't expect any changes. The exact things will continue both on the security side and development we're doing here," US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney told local reporters in an interview.

Kenney arrived here to lead the distribution of USAID's 250,000 books valued at US$10 million to over a 100 elementary schools in cities of Zamboanga, Isabela, and provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. She also graced the groundbreaking rites of the Zamboanga City Medical Center Birthing Clinic.

"Education is a future. Your children deserve of that. Here is a book represents of every kinds of learning and it's a great tool for your chindren. Use them, read them, read them and read them," she said.

When asked about the continued presence of US troops in Mindanao, she replied: "The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) determines whether we still have temporary support, and every indication that they still interested on that, so we'll continue."

Colonel William Coultrup, commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), corroborated Ambassador Kenney's statement saying that he does not think there's an overall pullout from everywhere.

"I mean every new administration has the right to change policy, but there's always a re-evaluation that constantly goes on," said Coultrup. "I think they're going to re-evaluate case-by-case (basis) every location."

He said that they're not aware of anything right now, although he's certain that there are options. "I think it will happen…we'll start to get an idea after January, once the new president has sworn in to office."

But Filipino political analysts believe that the marked change in policy would be seen in the US global campaign against terrorism, wherein Obama will put more emphasis on economic development to deal with extremism.

Some Philippine government officials had earlier said with Obama's presidency they expect no major shift in US foreign policy toward the Philippines considering it has been set a long time ago.

Others are eager to see an end to a US military presence in Mindanao they consider intervention in domestic affairs. They believe the humanitarian mission by American troops was a cover for counterinsurgency operations.

Tausugs restore Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam

Head of Tausug state. Datu Ladjamura Bin Wasik Adinda Aranan Puyo salutes during his installation as ruler of the newly-restored Sultanate of Sulu.

The United Tausug Citizens (UTC) restored their long lost sovereign Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam on Friday, installing Datu Ladjamura Bin Datu Wasik Adinda Aranan Puyo as head of state and interim government.

Thousands of ethnic Tausugs carrying their flags and streamers with markings "Philippines please out now from Sultanate of Sulu!" "Today colony, tomorrow a country" marched through the streets of Jolo town.

After marching, the Tausugs from as far as Sulu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, North Borneo (Sabah) gathered in Lupah Sug in the town of Indanan, the birthplace of the founding of Sultanate of Sulu in 1405.

At the gathering, they raised flag and saluted signaling the restoration of the Sultanate of Sulu and its government. Shortly after a flag ceremony, Datu Wasik was installed as head of state of the newly restored Sulu Sultanate.

A chief minister and ministers for defense, finance, foreign and interior as well as 15 mayors, 15 deputies, 150 village heads, 150 religious leaders, 120 police chiefs, and 5,000 police peacekeepers were also installed.

It was learned the rest part of Sultanate, its government structure will be restored soonest after the coronation of the rightful Sultan, to be held within forty-five days following last Friday’s 603rd Sulu Sultanate founding anniversary celebration.

The Tausugs' restoration of their sovereign state and governance was the first ever episode in the Philippines today, 62 years after the Filipinos illegally and militarily occupied the Sultanate of Sulu in 1946.

In a speech, Datu Wasik declared: "Ha adlaw ini, amo na ini in adlaw sin Tausug…nagbalik na kita niyo pa bangsa natu Tausug (today is the day of Tausugs and we have returned to Tausug state)."

"Ha adlaw ini Tausug na kita niyo…ha adlaw ini Sultanate of Sulu na kita niyo bukon na kita niyo Filipino (Today we are already Tausugs…today, we are already Sultanate of Sulu no longer Filipinos)," he further declared.

In an interview, Ibno Abdushahid Bin Ahmad Saudi, chief minister of North Borneo (Sabah), said that it was a legitimate move or right action for the Tausugs to choose the rightful leaders of the Sultanate of Sulu.

"This is the time for Tausugs all over the world to unite and support the Sultanate of Sulu. I hope and pray to Allah Subhana Wata'ala (the Almighty God) that what we have done so far would bare fruitfully," he said.

Stressing the existence of Sultanate of Sulu when there were no Americans, no Filipinos and Malaysians yet, he called on the Philippine government to “please, by all means, leave the sovereign Sultanate of Sulu peacefully!"

For his part, Atty. Meltino Jaujan Sibulan, lawyer of Tausug citizens, said that Datu Wasik, a legatee of “Second Heir Apparent” of Sultan Maharajah Adinda Rajamuda Bantilan, now functions as Sultan (ruler).

"Datu Wasik would be functioning the same local government or a regional government or a state government as before since the time of the first Sultanate of Sulu," Sibulan explained.

In November 17, 1405 A.D., Syed Abubakar Al-Marhom Shariful Hashim from Johore founded the Kingdom of Sulu Sultanate. He was enthroned by Tausug citizens as the first Sultan of Sulu Sultanate.

At the time of his arrival in Sulu, Islam was already anchored at Buansa village, having been introduced in 1380 to the Datus and their people by Sheikh Makhdum, an Arab missionary from Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Sibulan said the functions of Sultan can now be exercised by Datu Wasik, adding that “since the Sultanate' de jure government is now exercising the acts of sovereignity, it is time for the Philippines to abandon the territory of Tausugs.”

"The justice has long been held hostage by the Republic of the Philippines. They have hostage the peace, freedom, and the sovereignity of this state and Tausug people. It's time to give justice to the Tausug citizens!" HG

Kidnapped Zamboangueña nurse freed in Basilan

Zamboangueña nurse Precious Feliciano, kidnapped more than four months ago, arrives at the Majini Pier, Naval Forces South Command in Zamboanga City, a day after she was released by her captors in Al Barka town, Basilan.

Kidnapped Zamboangueña nurse Precious Feliciano was finally released Friday evening by her Abu Sayyaf captors in the Municipality of Al Barka in Basilan, officials said on Saturday.

Ms. Feliciano was first reported missing by her family last July 7. A high school classmate of the nurse allegedly went to Feliciano's house and invited her to high school reunion.

Instead of a reunion, Feliciano was brought to Manicaan in Zamboanga City, where a motorboat had been waiting. She was reportedly taken to Basilan and turned over to the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.

Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakalahul said Ms. Feliciano was freed at Bohe Kassa, Barangay Magcawa in Al-Barka at around 9:45 p.m. after 124 days in captivity.

Precious' parents joined Sakalahul in fetching the 24-year old nurse who personally gave P200,000 in cash to the kidnappers as payment for "board and lodging."

"We were instructed by the kidnappers to proceed in that area, the same place, where we were able to get SP (Esperencita Hupida)," he told reporters.

The vice governor said he was not authorized to bring security to get the nurse. "I was only with my driver, of course my wife and the father and mother of the hostage," he added.

During an interview at Majini Pier in Naval Forces South arranged by Navy authorities, Precious did not answer some important questions by the media.

She, however, said her captors treated her well, provided her foods and did not hurt her. "Ok lang ta dale sila comigo kome. Ok el de ila treatment comigo alya. Hindi sila ta ase sinte duele comigo."

Mr. Feliciano, Precious father, said they're very glad now that Precious is already free from the kidnappers. He confirmed the reported P1.5 million ransom, which they gave to the kidnappers.

"Ya dale tambien kami board and lodging of P200,000. Previously ya dale ya man kami P1.5 million ransom," he told reporters.

He also admitted that her daughter's kidnapping greatly affected their family. He did not elaborate, but asked the government to eradicate the kidnappings.

Ms. Feliciano's release came a week after Esperencita Hupida, a program director of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. (NFI), was released by her captors last October 30, Thursday.

Hupida was abducted along with Millet Mendoza, another humanitarian worker, by Abu Sayyaf bandits one and a half months ago in Tipo-Tipo.

Mendoza's fate remains uncertain and also that of another kidnap victim, Joed Anthony Pilangga, and the Abu Sayyaf was reportedly demanding P7 million for Mendoza and P20 million for Pilangga.

"In the case of Mendoza, we leave that to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. For the other remaining hostage, we don't have any information whether he's in Basilan or not," Sakalahul said.

He declined to identify the negotiator of the MILF who is taking the lead in the negotiation for the release of the remaining hostages in Basilan.

"I give way (the negotiations for Mendoza's release) to the MILF. Ayaw ko rin naman ma jeopardize iyong kanilang ginagawa," the vice governor said.

Muslims in Tawi-Tawi celebrate founding of first & oldest mosque in the Philippines

Tubig Indangan (Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao). In 1380, an Arab missionary from Saudi Arabia named Sheik Karimul Mackdum reached Tubig Indangan in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao and supervised the construction of the mosque thus marking the introduction of Islam faith in the Philippines.

Thousands of Muslims from the different towns in Tawi-Tawi have gathered for two days in the island of Simunul participating in the celebrations on the founding of the first mosque in the Philippines.

The first Muslim mosque known as the Masjid Sheik Karimal Mackdum, which was built in Indangan village in the island of Simunul by the Arab Muslim missionary from Mecca 628 years ago, signaled the propagation of Islam in the Philippines.

Sometime in November 2006, the Senate approved a proposal to declare the Philippines' oldest Islamic landmark located in Simunul as a national shrine in recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of culture and civilization in the country.

Since Thursday, people converged on an area close to Sheik Karimal Mackdum Mosque with a variety of activities dubbed as Ziarang Simunul or Visit Simunul, based on the spirituality and cultural integrity of peoples of Mindanao.

Local government officials said a fluvial parade of decorated Sama tribe bancas signaled the different activities leading to the Friday congregational prayer at the Sheik Karimal Mackdum Mosque.

"The heart of the campaign is a symbolic gesture that signifies unity on the various people of ARMM and affirms Islam as a religion of peace," the municipal officials of Simunul said in a statement issued to the media.

The campaign highlighted the social capital of Simunul, which included the national heritage of the Sheik Mackdum Mosque, the colorful dances and music of the Sama tribe, the food delicacies, and efforts to usher in socio-economic development in the island.

A food festival of local delicacies, participated in by 16 villages of Simunul, launching the compilation of selected verses from the Qur'an and Hadith which provide references for the imams in their sermons also highlighted the celebration.

The celebrations culminated with a community "big book" reading, said to strengthen the social cohesion through collective recollection of the history of the place and the people along with the cultural presentation on the history of arrival of Islam in the Philippines.

Development projects were also launched and presented on Friday by various donor-funded projects present in Simunul such as the ACT for Peace Program, Mindanao Rural Development Program, Growth with Equity in Mindanao and the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao.

Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

Barack Obama's election a triumph for black Americans

The election of Democrat Senator Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States is an amazing moment in American history.

This is an incredible accomplishment considering that never before have the Americans chosen a black candidate with Muslim roots to be president.

Indeed, the election of Obama is a long awaited triumph for the black American people who suffered much from slavery and oppressions by the whites in the past.

But his victory clearly indicates that America has come a long way since the dark time of segration, where the black people were treated like animals.

Some Filipino analysts had earlier speculated that a victory by Obama could lead to a reduction of American troops in Mindanao or even end their presence in the region.

I think this is more likely to happen because Obama wants to alter the US-lead global war on terrorism and the fact that he's calling for an end of war in Iraq, which was launched by outgoing President George Bush Jr.

But would this be a good thing or a bad thing for us? I think again we have to ask ourselves if the presence of US military here is not detrimental to our interest.

We have been hearing government officials saying that the strategic importance of the Philippines in America's geopolitics should remain constant and not lost.

Others say the US troops presence here and their non-combat assistance have helped prevent terror attacks and training and have neutralized Abu Sayyaf leaders and their JI cohorts.

On the other hand, diverse activist groups including Moro organizations demanded American troops involved in counter-terrorism exercises to leave Mindanao.

They said the humanitarian mission by American troops was a cover for counterinsurgency operations and amounted to US intervention in domestic affairs.

In light of all these issues, What is the best way for us? Should we demand Obama for a change in RP-US relations? Should we tell him to withdraw all US troops from Mindanao?

An Open Letter to His Holiness
Pope BENEDICT XVI
From the Office of Amina Rasul, Lead Convenor,
Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy

Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population in a well-interconnected world. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity.

Thus starts A Common Word, an enlightened document that honors mutual understanding and respect between the two religious traditions, and which has brought us here today.

It is with regards to peace and justice for Muslims and Christians that we from Mindanao, are writing you today. Justice has long been denied the minorities of the Philippines – both our Muslim brethren and our indigenous peoples' communities. Their oppression has led to armed ethnic conflict between the Muslim minorities and government. Peace processes and interfaith collaboration had successfully negotiated our differences which helped increase mutual understanding, re-establish trust, calm the situation for the sake of peace and preserve human dignity.

The war between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ended when government and the MNLF signed a peace accord in 1996. The war between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was on ceasefire, underway to a peaceful resolution when the MILF and government undertook a peace process immediately upon the signing of the peace agreement with the MNLF. Unfortunately, war has resumed after government withdrew from signing the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in August.

Over the last two months, more than 100 have been killed and 600,000 have become refugees. While we believe that the MILF units that targeted the villages have engaged in serious violations of international law and should be held accountable, we are also seriously concerned about the formation of armed militia units with support from the Department of Interior and Local Government. The setting up of armed groups will not protect civilians as some local government officials believe. Rather, it will lead to more chaos, insecurity and division among local communities. The protection of civilians is the responsibility of the State and its security sector such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

We hope that Your Holiness could help us bring peace and justice to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao by expressing concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and appeal for restraint for the protection of all civilians, as well as for the opening of access for the provision of speedy humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

As a concrete manifestation of how our faiths move us to help restore the dignity of our people in Mindanao by granting them their most cherished life in peace, we are making this appeal to Your Holiness to help us convince the government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF to go back to the peace negotiation table as soon as possible. We believe that it is imperative that both government and the MILF share the responsibility for moving the peace process towards a sincere dialogue that reflects heavily the hearts and minds of all people who are affected by the escalating war in Mindanao.

Submitted in all respect and love to Your Holiness and in the name of the One Almighty God.

One of two kidnapped aid workers freed

Freed Abu Sayyaf kidnap victim Esperencita Hupida is greeted by Fr. Angel Calvo, president of the Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ) and head of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. (NFL), after a mass at a Marine chapel inside the Naval Forces South headquarters in Zamboanga City. HG

One of the two humanitarian workers who had been kidnapped one and a half month ago, apparently by Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom group, was released on Thursday in a remote area in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

The aid worker, Esperencita Hupida, who worked as a program coordinator of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. (NFI), was released by her captors at around 2:15 a.m. after her family paid an undisclosed amount in ransom.

Initially, her captors had reportedly demanded P5 million for her release and threatened to cut her fingers if the ransom demand would not be paid before the end of this month.

"I was so afraid when they threatened to cut my fingers. The kidnappers are teenagers, but they treated me well," Hupida told reporters in an interview at the Naval Forces South headquarters chapel.

Wearing an orange t-shirt, Hupida together with family, friends and fellow peace advocates prayed upon arrival at a chapel in the Naval Forces South headquarters.

Father Angel Calvo, head of the NFI and president of the Peace Advocate Zamboanga (PAZ), and other Catholic priests led the prayer for Hupida's release.

"We're very happy and very glad...at least one of the victims has been released," Fr. Calvo told reporters in an interview after the mass.

"We would like to mention especially the marine brigade who has been very very helpful eversince from the beginning as part of the crisis management committee, as well as the vice governor of Basilan," he said.

The military said Hupida was released by her captors in Al Barka town to Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakalahul who turned to Col. Romeo Valdez of the 1st Marine Brigade.

"It was Vice Governor Sakalahul who turned over her to the brigade. After the turnover, she was given a medical attention before she was taken here (Zamboanga City)," said Maj. Eugene Batara Jr., Western Mindanao Command spokesman.

Batara added that members of the Crisis Management Committee in coordination with Sakalahul worked for the release of Hupida. He tagged Nur Hassan, an Abu Sayyaf group leader, as behind the kidnapping.

The kidnappers are still holding Millet Mendoza, a Manila-based freelance community development worker and former executive director of Tabang Mindanao, a non-government organization (NGO).

"Initial information that we received following the release of Hupida, the remaining hostage (Mendoza) was reportedly separated (taken to other area) by their kidnappers," Batara said.

Hupida and Mendoza were seized in the afternoon of September 15 in the village of Cabangalan, Ungkaya Pukan town. They were implementing humanitarian projects in Tipo-Tipo town when kidnapped. HG

Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

On the creation of third district

For the past several weeks, this corner has been dormant. Sorry for the absence, but I've been exhausted for quite sometime now, and I needed a break. Having recovered from this exhaustion, I am now back at the keyboard.

Anyway, let's tackle this issue on the creation of an additional district in Zamboanga City, which is being pushed by some power-hungry politicians here, invoking the Constitution and the increase of the city's population as basis.

While I respect the opinion of those people who move heaven and earth to create the third district, personally I am skeptical of this proposal. Sorry to say this, but I haven't seen a good reason why we need to create a new district.

We just divided more than a year ago our city in two districts and so far nothing really new as far as development is concerned. Progress is not really felt by the people despite the two congressional districts.

If you look at what's happening in our city, I'll just mention some of them – most barangay and farm to market roads are not improved, no standard terminal for bus, lack of schools in every barangay, short of medicines and health centers.

There are also no investments that will allow graduates to work their field of expertise, and power and water services remain very poor, many people are jobless, and the price of basic commodities is very high. Name it, we have it all here.

So what can we expect from the proposed third district? I don't think so that if nothing will be done now (creation of third district), history will judge the present leaders whether or not they have done something for the benefit of the next generations.

The real rhetoric here is whether or not our present leaders, who have full of promises, have focused on programs and projects that will address the real state of the city and spur economic progress in the two districts.

Our congressmen – Hon. Maria Isabelle Climaco and Hon. Erbie Fabian – are more than enough to represent the people of Zamboanga in Congress, particularly for the inhabitants of their districts and greater economic advancement of the city.

It's not really a matter of quantity of representatives, it's a matter of quality of representatives who can take our city to greater heights and produce something big in Congress that will benefit their constituents.

Look at all the major cities in Mindanao who have many congressional districts, the quality of life is very poor. This only means that if our city creates an additional district, life-quality including income per person goes lower and the city's income divides too etc…

We really have to ask ourselves. Is creating a third district will do good for the city or is it only for those power-hungry politicians, who are just after the pork barrel and concerned about their personal interest than the people's interest?

Have we already felt the progress in the two districts, where there are many socio-economic development programs and other indicators that improve the quality of life of the people? If not then, this is the issue that we have to raise to our present leaders.

Finally, we should be particularly concerned about the fact that power-hungry politicians who want to establish dynasty in the city might be the only beneficiaries of a new district. I hope this factor would be taken into account when consulted on the matter.

Activist groups conduct humanitarian mission in Cotabato, Lanao, Maguindanao

A joint team of activists in the country will travel to the conflict affected provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte on October 22-25, 2008 to provide humanitarian response to Moro and Christian evacuees there.

Dubbed as "The National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission (NIHM),' this is the first time since the government's all out war against the so-called rogue MILF rebels that has already claimed 83 lives as of September 21, many of whom innocent civilians.

The mission focuses on communities without or with the least access to assistance in the said three provinces. It will also document the extent and impact of the war and investigate the human rights violations and international humanitarian law violations in the areas.

The mission to the three provinces includes relief, medical, and psychosocial assistance. But because of limited resources, the NIHM will focus its assistance to five towns in Lanao del Norte and two towns in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Organizers said they have determined that these areas have received little or no assistance from government and non-government agencies, or have experienced discrimination in relief efforts. Many of these communities are remotely located and relief assistance is not easily accessible.

They said the mission will undertake its operation in the following areas with the corresponding number of IDPs. However, given limited resources, the Mission will have to focus on certain villages from these municipalities:

Lanao del Norte – Kauswagan (2,779 IDPs), Kolambugan (3,125 IDPs), Munai (2,012 IDPs, Poona Piagapo (619 IDPs), and Tangkal (1,503 IDPs); North Cotabato to Maguindanao – Pikit (7,938 IDPs), Datu Piang (5,739 IDPs).

Based on the NIHM data, it showed that some 528,053 individuals have been displaced by the raging all-out war in Mindanao. Children, women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the ongoing hostilities.

"They make up a majority of the 110,389 families in 354 villages mostly located in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Basilan. They are cramped into a total of 123 evacuation centers in all affected provinces," said Marie Hilao Enriquez, NIHM lead convenor.

She said more evacuation centers are being opened by government as of this writing, but a greater number, some 253,255 persons, are finding shelter outside evacuation centers with relatives, away from the services of government agencies and non-government relief institutions.

According to her, measles, common chronic diseases, diarrhea, and other illnesses have been monitored. Mortality among evacuees has been attributed by the government to lack of resources and lack of access to particular communities.

"This, as children struggle to overcome trauma (with government providing limited psychosocial intervention) and lag behind because of disruption of classes as schools are converted into evacuation centers," she said.

"Aggravating their conditions is the lack of medical personnel, the small ratio of available toilets to evacuees, insufficient garbage disposal, and the intermittent security and safety threats to evacuees resulting from skirmishes."

Some 202 houses of civilians have been totally razed. More than 120 million pesos worth of public and private property has been damaged, including schools, livestock and crops. Hostilities--- which include aerial bombardments, shelling, and massive troop deployment-- have created this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

The pursuit of MILF rebels allegedly responsible for criminal attacks against civilian populations has left a trail of massive internal displacement and has spawned more violations to human rights and international humanitarian law.

The impact of the one-tracked objective of the AFP to get at all cost MILF commanders Bravo and Ombra Kato--- alleged to have killed civilians, burned houses, and committed other atrocities--- has far cancelled out its purported aim of protecting civilian populations.

"This complex emergency is expected to turn for the worse as there seems to be no end to the fighting. Already, 50% of the combat capable forces of the AFP are deployed in Mindanao," Enriquez said.

The peace negotiations, where hostilities are governed by existing agreements, are in limbo with the dissolution of the government's peace panel and the government's transformation of its peace policy into Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR).

Leaders of Karapatan, Kawagib Moro Human Rights, Children's Rehabilitation Center – Southern Mindanao, Health Action for Human Rights, Bayan Muna Suara Bangsamoro, Kalinaw Mindanao, and Gabriela Women's Party have organized the humanitarian mission.

They will make a public presentation of the initial reports of the NIHM on October 24, 2008 in the morning at El Comedor Grille, Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City with panel of speakers and presenters from the different activist groups.