7 people charged for colluding with Abu Sayyaf terrorists

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 06, 2009) – Seven people, including three policemen, were charged in court for their alleged involvements with the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group which is holding two kidnapped Red Cross workers in Sulu province in the southern Philippines.

Among those also charged were two village chieftains and two civilians, according to a report by the local ABS-CBN television.

It said the suspects are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in Zamboanga City.

Sulu police chief Julasirim Kasim confirmed the arrest of the three policemen and said the crackdown on suspected Abu Sayyaf supporters is going. “This (crackdown) will continue without ‘let-up’ in the province,” he said.

The government on Sunday rejected fresh demands by the Abu Sayyaf to pull out military and police forces in Sulu where it is holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, 38, and Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62.

Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad has repeatedly warned that they would behead the hostages if the government fails to pull out security forces in at least five areas near the terrorist jungle stronghold in Indanan town.

Parad’s renewed threats came after his group freed Mary Jean Lacaba on April 2. The trio was kidnapped January 15 in Patikul town where they inspected a humanitarian project.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, head of the government task force negotiating for the release of the hostages, rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand for a total pull out of security forces, but said he could strike a compromise with the terrorists if they free the remaining captives.

“Security forces surrounding the terrorists’ hideout can move back a little if the Abu Sayyaf is ready to free the hostages,” he said.

Tan declared a state of emergency in Sulu last week and ordered a crackdown on suspected supporters of the Abu Sayyaf. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed by Manila for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransom the past years. Authorities said some Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among those holding the two aid workers. (Mindanao Examiner)