Multi-sectoral groups commit to stop kidnappings in Sulu

Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel chieftain Nur Misuari is flanked by supporters Friday, February 13, 2009, in Jolo won in Sulu province, where Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are holding hostage three Red Cross workers Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino woman Mary Jean Lacaba. Misuari has volunteered to help negotiate with the terrorists to free the hostages. Devout Muslims also pray Friday at mosque in Sulu. A Sri Lankan peace activist Umar Jaleel was also abducted on Friday in nearby Basilan province by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists. (Photos contributed by Amil Abubakar)

SULU, Philippines – The provincial government of Sulu got the commitment and support of various groups to put a stop to the un-Islamic activities of lawless elements and to resolve the current crisis the soonest possible time.

Different organizations and concerned individuals of Sulu manifested their commitment and support to the Province through separate statements released to the media.

In a written statement, the Busbus Peace Promoters Organization said that the recent kidnapping of ICRC personnel brought so much sadness among the inhabitants of Sulu, saying that “it is a condemnable act that must be dealt [with] seriously and be stopped from happening again in the history of the province.

The statement recognizes that the Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that has been offering humanitarian and medical services worldwide.

“Their (Red Cross) dedication to help has long been seen and felt even here in Sulu. And most are aware of the fact that it sees no angle, takes no side in extending its services. Their personnel are friends to everyone,” the statement said.

It said the outlaws took advantage of this “kindness of humanitarian workers to achieve their malice ends.”

In a separate statement, the Sabiel Al-Muhtadeen Foundation, Inc.-Sulu, an umbrella organization of the different mosques and madarios, Muslim religious leaders, professionals, women, youth and other economic sectors of Sulu, “strongly condemns all forms of un-Islamic act of violence and terror particularly the recent kidnapping of three ICRC workers and a certain local resident by the name of (Dionghan) Indiong Que.”

The foundation appealed to those “involved in carrying out such criminal activity to put an end to this heinous crime,” saying that the “political and military consequences of which are only bloodshed, destruction of properties and displacement of our very own people.”

Other groups like the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, the Suara Mahardika, Bansag Babai, the JPIC-Jolo, including the municipal mayors of Sului and the 42nd CRU of the 4CRGAFP are signatories to another statement that expressed their “full and undivided support to Sulu Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan, the Task Force ICRC, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to resolve the issue of ICRC kidnapping in the province of Sulu.”

While all of the statements strongly condemn the actions by irresponsible and lawless elements, the groups also called for sobriety and unity among the people of Sulu and exhaust all peaceful means to resolve the crisis. (Philippine Information Office-BASULTA)