Civilians help authorities secure Sulu, Red Cross hostage rescue halted

Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu province and Mayor Hussin Amin of Jolo town and Marines Major General Juancho Sabban led multi-sectoral rally headed by the Sulu People’s Congress on Saturday, February 14, 2009 in denouncing the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf group and the kidnappings of three Red Cross workers Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba. More than a thousand people attended the rally. Abu Sayyaf terrorists have reportedly demanded as much as $10 million for the safe release of the hostages, who were seized on January 15, 2009 in Sulu's Patikul town. A Sri Lankan peace activist, Umar Jaleel, of the Nonviolent Peaceforce, was also taken by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists in nearby Basilan province on February 13, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 15, 2009) – Armed civilians have joined government patrols in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, where Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are holding hostage three Red Cross workers.

Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting water and sanitation project at a prison in Patikul town.

Thousands of civilians who now formed part of the police auxiliary force in the province, have been guarding vital government installations across Sulu, especially in the towns of Jolo, Indanan and Patikul, where the Abu Sayyaf had previously launched attacks against civilian and government targets.

“The police auxiliary force is a big help to us. They are helping us patrol the streets at night, guard our community and protect our villages until this hostage crisis is over,” said Mayor Munib Estino, of Panglima Estino town.

Estino, himself, has been leading night patrols in his town and so are the other mayors, including the governor of Sulu, Sakur Tan, who heads a task force trying to obtain the release of the hostages.

“Civilians are fed up with the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf. They are fed up with all these kidnappings and they are condemning this lawlessness perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf,” Tan said.

Just recently, Abu Sayyaf terrorists burned a garbage truck in the town of Jolo and abducted its driver and his fate is still unknown. “Why do they have to resort to this and abducted the poor driver who takes care our garbage?” asked Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin.

The terrorists previously attacked and burned a school in the village of Timpook in Patikul town after a clash with marine soldiers.

Marine Major General Juancho Sabban, commander of military forces in Sulu, said the burning of the school left hundreds of mostly poor students without education. Sabban’s soldiers had helped build many schools and other development projects in partnership with the provincial government and the US military.

On Saturday, more than a thousand people joined a peace and prayer rally spearheaded by various civic groups, religious and the business sectors and denouncing the kidnappings of the three aid workers.

“This Abu Sayyaf is destroying the image of our beautiful province and brought nothing, but shame to every peace-loving citizen in Sulu. They have no place in Sulu and should be condemned,” said Abbas Ibrahim.

Ibrahim and his two brothers were among hundreds of men who armed themselves and joined the military and police in patrolling the town of Patikul.

Esmail Kiram, the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, who led a huge contingent to the rally, also denounced the kidnappings. “We are good people and we don’t deserve these atrocities. Islam is peace,” he said.

The protesters, including many local Muslim leaders, waved banners saying “We denounce the Abu Sayyaf” and “Enough is enough, no more kidnappings.” The gathering continued despite rumors and text messages that the Abu Sayyaf would disrupt the prayer rally.

At least 47 civic and religious organizations, including the former rebel group, Moro National Liberation Front, also signed a manifesto at the weekend condemning the Abu Sayyaf kidnappings.

Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF, also met with Tan in Jolo town and offered to help secure the safe release of the hostages.

The governor has ordered the military against attempts to rescue the hostage being held by the Abu Sayyaf under Albader Parad and Umbra Jumdail, also called Dr Abu Pula by some people because of his purported ability to perform crude treatments on wounded militants and ailing villagers. Both terrorist leaders were former MNLF fighters, according to the military.

But authorities believed that local Muslim scholar Yasser Igasan, said to be the new chieftain of the Abu Sayyaf, and Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, are with the group holding the Red Cross workers.

Tan said: “There should be no rescue because the safety of the hostages is the top concern.” He said military and police forces would continue to block all escape routes for the Abu Sayyaf holding the trio in Indanan town.

Civilians also were helping the soldiers and policemen seal off the area, he said.
On Monday, troops clashed with the kidnappers after a failed attempt to spring the captives. The fighting left 11 soldiers wounded and two of them critically.

The Abu Sayyaf, which has also been linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network, is known for kidnappings and bomb attacks on Christians and foreigners. The latest kidnapping saw a Sri Lankan Muslim peace activist seized in the nearby island of Basilan on February 13. (Mindanao Examiner)