Philippine deputy town mayor arrested on human trafficking charges

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 31, 2011) – Philippine authorities have arrested a deputy town mayor and his aide who were both linked to human trafficking charges in Mindanao.

Limtajar Bandahala Hassan, deputy mayor of Lugus town, was arrested in an entrapment operation carried out by undercover police and military agents at Paseo del Mar park in Zamboanga City over the weekend.

Hassan is being accused of transporting illegal Filipino workers to remote island of Taganak in the Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi before they are brought to Malaysia’s oil-rich state of Sabah.

Two agents, one from the local police force and the army, and a civilian informant who are members of a government anti-human trafficking task force, set up the trap and paid P18,000 in marked money to the politician in exchange for their boat trip to Taganak.

Police also seized a .45-caliber pistol from the politician, who identified himself as Limtazar Baladji, but government records showed his real name as Limtajar Bandahala Hassan.

Hassan has denied all the accusations against him and said he merely owns a passenger boat that plies from Zamboanga City to Taganak Island.

“I was fixing the boat’s generator when a friend approached and told me that there were people who wanted to go to Taganak. I just told him to purchase the tickets from us, so I went out with my purser to collect the payments. I am really innocent on all these charges,” he told television reporters from inside his jail in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)

Muslims end fasting, celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in Philippines

Muslims in the southern Philippine province of Sulu pray outside a jampacked mosque in Maimbung town on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 that signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 30, 2011) – Muslims in the southern Philippine province of Sulu ended the fasting month of Ramadan on Tuesday with prayers and festival that marked the celebration of the Eid ul-Fitr.

Locals celebrated the occasion with thanksgiving after the conclusion of the thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the Ramadan. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and his family led residents on Maimbung town in the breaking of fast with prayers on a small mosque.

“We always give thanks to God for all the blessings we received and prayers to thank God for all great things that he gave us all. This celebration of Eid ul-Fitr is a strong commitment of us all to God,” Tan said.

His family prepared food for over 2,000 people on a village in Maimbung town where they celebrated the Eid ul-Fitr. Tan called on his people to always put God above all and continue to pray for peace and prosperity in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Later in the day, the governor and his son, Mayor Samier Tan, sponsored a boat racing and swimming competition out in the open sea, with prices for winners that included a motorboat and consolation money which ranged from P5,000 to P10,000.

An amateur singing contest and traditional dance competition were also held in the town and attended by some 3,000 locals. A colorful fireworks capped the celebration of the Eid ul-Fitr.

Tan pledged to bring development and free education to the town.

President Aquino has appointed Tan as member of a screening committee along with peace advocate Yasmin Lao that will help the government choose the acting governor in the Muslim autonomous region who will serve until elections are held in 2013. (Mindanao Examiner)

MILF rebels to disown renegade leader

Ameril Umra Kato. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Romy Elusfa)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 29, 2011) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front is likely to disown a renegade commander accused as behind the series of deadly attacks in Mindanao in 2008.

“The decision will come out after the holy month of Ramadan. The MILF will finally decide on the fate of Kato,” Von Al-Haq, a rebel spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Al-Haq was referring to Ameril Umra Kato who split with the MILF and is now threatening the peace talks between the rebel group and the Aquino government.

“Once the MILF disowns Kato, it would all be up to the Philippine government what to do with him,” he said, adding the renegade leader has formed his own rebel group.

Kato had led rebel forces in attacking civilian targets after the peace negotiators failed to sign a Muslim homeland deal in 2008 after the Supreme Court declared the accord unconstitutional.

Because of the attacks, police and military authorities have launched an operation to capture him, but Katao managed to elude arrest by hiding inside MILF areas, security officials said.

But not the MILF said it would not offer safe refuge to Kato. “We will not allow him to stay in our areas or camps. He is no longer welcome in MILF areas,” Al-Haq said.

Kato has repeatedly criticized MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim for abandoning their struggle for independence. He said also betrayed the rebels when he agreed to a secret meeting called by President Benigno Aquino in Japan earlier in August.

“Murad corrupted the rights of the Bangsamoro people,” Kato said, adding the MILF chieftain should have consulted his leaders before meeting with Aquino.

He claimed to have thousands of armed followers and supporters, but Al-Haq said Kato only has about a hundred members.

Kato has repeatedly said his group called the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement would pursue an independent Muslim state in Mindanao, home to some four million Muslims in a region of about 18 million mostly Christian inhabitants.

Manila proposed a wider Muslim autonomy to the MILF, but the rebel group said it would only agree on a sub-state in Mindanao. The MILF said it the government should let the Muslim run their own affairs.

The MILF previously branded the five-province Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao as a failure. The region has been rocked by corruption scandals and remains as one of the poorest in the country.

It previously called on the government to amend the Constitution that would allow the creation of a Muslim sub state in Mindanao. Aquino’s allies in Congress are now pushing for the amendment of the Constitution, saying, there is a need to change many provisions in the Charter that would benefit the country’s economy, among others. (Mindanao Examiner)

NPA rebels release new proofs of life of 4 prisoners in Mindanao

New People’s Army rebels released photographs and voice recordings of four jail officers being held in Mindanao.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 29, 2011) – Philippine Maoist rebels have released Sunday a new set of photographs and audio recordings of four jail officers being held as prisoners of war in Mindanao.

The four - Police Inspectors Murphy Todyog and Eric Llamasares, Special Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo Jr. - were seized by rebels on July 21 after a daring rescue of a prisoner Dennis Rodenas in Bukidnon province.

Authorities said Rodenas is a senior rebel leader who is facing a string of criminal charges. He was rescued by dozens of New People’s Army rebels while being transported to a prison facility in Davao.

Rubi del Mundo, a spokesperson for the NPA in Southern Mindanao, said the photographs were taken on August 23. Del Mundo said security forces had launched a series of operations to rescue the prisoners, but it all failed.

“Surely, a people’s army that has more than four decades of experience and accomplishments in the revolutionary war cannot be dismembered with fascist dogs wearing innocuous collars,” Del Mundo said.

The four prisoners also appealed to Manila to stop all military operations because it could endanger their safety. They said the rebels were treating them fairly.

“Our situation here is okay, although it is cold here in the mountains. They treat us humanely, we were not harmed. To my family, don’t worry because I’m alright, despite our situation where we are sometimes wet and cold from the rains. We are still alive,” said Todyog.

“To the negotiating panel of the government’s side, I hope they’ll expedite the negotiation so that we can go back to our families. We’re here for almost a month already. The people here are treating us well. To the operations of the Armed Forces, although that is their job, but we are appealing that you give way to the negotiation so that the process of our release will not be delayed,” he added.

Llamasares said the military rescue operations affected their early release. “I appeal that the military operations be stopped to expedite our release. I believe that the military operations have caused the delay of our release, please give way for our release,” he said.

“As POWs, we are treated well here. We miss our families. Here, they treat us as their visitors. They provide for our needs such as food. They always check our health. We were not harmed, not even verbally or physically. I call on my family not to worry because we’re okay here. We’re in good condition,” said Begontes.

And Bajuyo also appealed to the army to halt all operations. “We appeal to the Philippine Army, please, suspend the military operations to expedite our release. We hope to be reunited with our families,” he said.

The rebels earlier released photographs and voice recordings of Mayor Henry Dano, of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur; and his bodyguards Private First Class Allan Saban and Corporal Alrey Desamparado, who were seized August 6 in a daring raid on the politician’s house.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said the politician is being tried by a revolutionary court on various criminal charges and could face execution by musketry if rebels find him guilty of all accusations against him.

“The charges point to Mayor Dano’s direct and indirect, overt and covert participation in armed hostilities waged by the AFP, PNP and their intelligence and paramilitary units against the NPA.”

“Foremost of these acts is his maintenance of a private armed group and engaging in intelligence gathering against the revolutionary forces in Guerilla Front 20 in conjunction with the 4th Infantry Division intelligence operations,” Sanchez said, adding the mayor would also be investigated for his role in army recruitment in his town.

Dano has appealed to President Benigno Aquino to halt all military operation in theprovince to allow negotiations for the release.

“I am asking for our beloved President, on my capacity as mayor of the town of Lingig and currently a detainee of the NPA, for the suspension of military operations to ensure our security and to facilitate for our early release from detention here, free from peril. I would also like to ask our beloved Governor, Johnny Pimentel, to send my request to our beloved President Benigno Aquino III, to suspend the military operations to accord us safety, and to hasten our freedom,” the mayor said.

The rebels are fighting for the establishment of a separate state in the largely Catholic country. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 kidnapped traders freed in the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 28, 2011) – Two Filipino traders kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have been freed on Sunday in exchange for ransoms in the southern province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said Ambon Blas, 60, and Perlita Bagay, 25, were released at around 6 a.m. in the village of Latih in Patikul town after their family paid P100,000 to their captors.

“Initial investigation revealed that the victims’ family allegedly paid a ransom amounting to P100,000 to the abductors for their safe release,” Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional army spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

he said the two – who are engaged in selling used clothing in Jolo town - were travelling on a motorcycle when abducted near a school in Latih village in Patikul town on August 21.

Cabangbang said the local military has identified the leader of the gang as Basarun Aruk.

Just this month, Abu Sayyaf militants seized a government midwife, Evangeline Taverisma, 55, in Tagbak village on Indanan town. She was on her way to report for work when seized by gunmen whose leader was identified as Nasir Timbang.

The kidnappers demanded P5 million for her freedom.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding two Filipino fishermen, an Indian national and a Malaysian citizen. Authorities blamed the group for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransom in the southern Philippines.

The fishermen, Renato Panisales and Wennie Ferrer - employees of the Mega Fishing Corporation in Zamboanga City - were seized at sea in March. Their companion, Jonald Ocsimar, was freed in July after his family paid P300,000 ransom.

The militant group is holding Indian national Bijukolara Veetil, 36, who was kidnapped in June while visiting his Filipino wife in Patikul town. A Malaysian lizard trader, Mohammad Nasaruddin Bensaidin, 38, from Kuala Lumpur, was also kidnapped in Indanan town on April.

The Abu Sayyaf is also holding a US woman, Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, 50, and her son Kevin Eric Lunsmann, 14, including a Filipino nephew Romnick Jackaria, 19, after snatching them from a beach house on Tictabon Island in Zamboanga City and demanded P10 million ransoms.

The hostages are believed to be in Basilan Island, just several nautical miles south of Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops hunt NPA rebels behind Misamis raid

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 28, 2011) – Government troops continue to hunt a band of communist rebels who clashed with soldiers in the southern Philippine province of Misamis Oriental, officials said Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, said troops were tracking down New People’s Army rebels who clashed with his unit on Saturday in the town called Sugbongcogon.

Cuerpo said soldiers recovered weapons left behind by rebels after the fighting. “We are tracking down the rebels who were able to escape during the fighting, but we recovered some of their weapons that they left behind,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the rebels could be part of a group that attacked a police station in Misamis Oriental’s Medina town late Thursday afternoon. The attack killed one policeman and wounded two others.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine school hit by blast

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 26, 2011) – An improvised explosive went off inside a school compound in the southern Philippine city of Panabo, but there were no reports of casualties or injuries, officials said on Friday.

Officials said troops also discovered and disarmed four more landmines planted by the New People’s Army rebels at Tibungol Elementary School on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, accused the rebels of targeting the school and said the NPA violated the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

“This shows the real identity of the NPAs. They are criminals, who care less of the safety and security of the civilians. This lawless armed group keeps on babbling about their respect for human rights violation but they’re acting inhumanely,” Paniza said.

“They are plain and simple criminals who should be rebuked and punished for their criminalities and this is what 10th Infantry Division is doing,” he added.

It was unknown whether the explosion was accidental or not, but human rights groups have previously accused government soldiers in the province of using schools as their patrol base and barracks.

The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

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President Aquino to announce choice for ARMM OIC in October

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a conference in Patikul town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 26, 2011) – Manila is set to formally announce its choice for acting governor in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, a senior government official said.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said they will make the announcement in October 1.

The government has received close to a hundred nominations and applications for the top post, but Robredo said those aspiring to become the acting governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) must introduce reforms set by President Benigno Aquino.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan has repeatedly told Aquino that his province wanted to be out of ARMM due to its lack of development and infrastructure support from the regional government – from the time of former Governor Zaldy Ampatuan to his deputy Ansaruddin Adiong, now acting governor.

“May isang mahalagang bagay na mangyayari, sa October 1 ay magkakaroon na ng bagong pamunuan yun ARMM. Ibig sabihin ay may mas malalaking pananagutan na ang pamahalaan national sa ARMM.”

“Yun sinasabi dati ni Sakur na hihiwalay siya sa ARMM, eh palagay ko hindi ito yun panahon para siya humiwalay sa ARMM. Ang aming pong pakiusap ay hindi lamang biyaya ang dadalhin dito ng bagong pamunuan. Yun bagong pamunuan ay may hihingiin yun na mga obligasyon, ibig sabihin ay walang mga bagay na magandang mangyayari kung walang bahagi ang atin pong nasa lokal at ang ibig sabihin noon ay walang benepisyo kung walang sakripisyo,” Robredo said during his recent visit to Sulu.

Robredo did not say who would be chosen to run the ARMM until new elections are held in 2013, but among those aspiring to become acting governor were Muslim politicians who belong to powerful clans in Mindanao, and leaders from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government.

Last month, Robredo together with Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, and Mindanao Development Authority chief Lualhati Antonino unveiled a package of government aid for Sulu province.

Soliman brought some 2,200 bags or about 110 tons of rice for distribution to Sulu’s 19 towns. And Deles launched the so-called “Pamana” program or the “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan,” a new government anti-poverty and peace program.

She also announced the funding for a road project in Kalingalang Kaluang town and an integrated market in the town of Maimbung where Tan led the officials in a ground-breaking ceremony witnessed by thousands of people who welcomed them.

“These are just some of the development projects we have for the people of Sulu and these projects all come from President Benigno Aquino. And we are happy that Governor Sakur Tan is pursuing a lot of projects for Sulu,” Deles said.

Tan said more housing projects are also underway in many towns as part of his anti-poverty programs in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga foundation and the Aquino government. Tan funded hundreds of houses for the poor in Sulu the past years and is a strong advocate of peace and development in the South.

He also gave a copy of Sulu’s Provincial Development and Framework Plan to the visiting officials.

Antonino, a former lawmaker, praised Tan for his leadership and pledged more projects for Sulu. “I promised you Governor Tan that I will bring to the President and report all these things, these projects that you have undertaken in Sulu,” she said during a program held a public plaza in Maimbung town.

Tan also toured Aquino’s officials in different areas in Sulu and showed them various development and humanitarian projects in Maimbung, Talipao, Jolo and Patikul towns.

Early this year, the Department of Agriculture and the Sulu provincial government have jointly funded the construction of a fish port and cold storage facility in Maimbung town. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Philippines, MILF rebels end peace talks with no accord

A Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighter guards his post in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 24, 2011) – Peace talks between Manila and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group ended in Malaysia without any agreement that would put an end to decades of bloody fighting in Mindanao.

The MILF on Tuesday flatly rejected a government offer for an expanded Muslim autonomy in Mindanao. The rebel group demanded the creation of a Muslim sub-state in the troubled, but mineral-rich southern region.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said the government proposal would not solve the problems in Mindanao.

“The government draft is not solving the Moro Question and the armed conflict in Mindanao, but it is a formula to prolong it,” Iqbal said in a statement, adding the proposal for a wider autonomy was way below their expectation.

“The government peace panel draft is way below the MILF expectation. The MILF peace panel thought that the Aquino administration had a better formula than the previous administrations in addressing the Moro Question and armed conflict in Mindanao.”

“The unbridled domination of the Philippine government over the Moros through the unitary setup of government is not only maintained but reenergized and practically, the draft derogated all signed agreements or documents including the historic Tripoli Agreement of Peace of 2001,” Iqbal said, adding the government proposal has “no meeting point” with the MILF peace draft.

He said the MILF central committee would have to decide on the government’s offer of an expanded autonomy. “The draft has no meeting point with the MILF peace panel draft; hence, will not fast track the negotiation as agreed by President Aquino and Chairman Murad in Japan last August 4. The MILF Central Committee has the final say whether it will sustain or reverse the panel’s recommendation,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal said many of the provisions of the MILF draft were earlier agreed upon by the government peace panel, including “consensus points.” He said both sides have earlier agreed to “reframe” the draft in order to bring them over to the proposed comprehensive compact.

Marvic Leonen, the chief government peace negotiator, said Manila’s proposal which he called “3 for 1” approach was different from the MILF’s comprehensive compact.

He said “3 for 1” stands for three components for one single solution to the problem of Bangsamoro.

He said the “3 for 1” proposal was the result of the government peace panel’s extensive consultations with the different stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.

“It seeks not only to provide a just and lasting peace to the troubled south but more so to improve and uplift the lives of the people who have long suffered from the brutality of decades-long armed conflict. It is a principled, realistic and practical proposal that follows a comprehensive “3 for 1” approach or 3 components for 1 solution to the Bangsamoro problem,” Leonen said in a statement at the closing ceremony of the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur.

He said these components are made up of 1) massive economic development; 2) political settlement with the MILF, and; 3) cultural-historical acknowledgment.

“Be that as it may, the situation that we have now is that the parties have their various positions on the table. It is not unusual in negotiations that one of the parties take a hard-line position on the contents of the initial documents of another party.”

“We are going to report to the President, await his instructions and his mandate. In the meantime, we will go around the country to explain the contents of our proposal and get further feedback on this particular approach,” Leonen said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine rebels release proof of life of captured town mayor, soldiers

Photos released by the New People's Army rebels show Lingig town Mayor Henry Dano reading a book and soldiers Private First Class Allan Saban and Corporal Alrey Desamparado.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 24, 2011) – Philippine communist rebels on Wednesday released photos and audio recording of a town mayor and two soldiers who are being held in Mindanao, as proof of life and warned the military that any attempt to rescue the prisoners would endanger their lives.

The New People’s Army is holding Mayor Henry Dano, of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur; and his bodyguards Private First Class Allan Saban and Corporal Alrey Desamparado.

The rebels snatched Dano on August 6 in a daring raid that also captured two soldiers guarding the politician in his house in Lingig town.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said the politician is being tried by a revolutionary court on various criminal charges.

Dano could face execution by musketry if rebels find him guilty of all accusations against him.

“The charges point to Mayor Dano’s direct and indirect, overt and covert participation in armed hostilities waged by the AFP, PNP and their intelligence and paramilitary units against the NPA,”.

“Foremost of these acts is his maintenance of a private armed group and engaging in intelligence gathering against the revolutionary forces in Guerilla Front 20 in conjunction with the 4th Infantry Division intelligence operations,” Sanchez said, adding the mayor would also be investigated for his role in army recruitment in his town.

AFP refers to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while the PNP is the acronym for Philippine National Police.

“He will also be questioned about his frontline participation in AFP military work like recruitment for Philippine Army enlistment and recruitment of the paramilitary CAFGU, among others,” Sanchez said.

CAFGU is short for Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit, a paramilitary group under the supervision of the Philippine Army.

In the audio clip, Dano appealed to President Benigno Aquino to halt all military operation in the province.

“I am asking for our beloved President, on my capacity as mayor of the town of Lingig and currently a detainee of the NPA, for the suspension of military operations to ensure our security and to facilitate for our early release from detention here, free from peril. I would also like to ask our beloved Governor, Johnny Pimentel, to send my request to our beloved President Benigno Aquino III, to suspend the military operations to accord us safety, and to hasten our freedom,” the mayor said.

He also told his supporters and relatives not to worry about him and has already spoken to his wife by phone.

“Since then, I have been well, thank God, for the regular visits, daily blood pressure taking and medications that were given to me, medicines most especially for my arthritis. We were also given clothes and separate tent which we use during rainy or hot weather.”

“With all this, I hope my family will not worry over our situation, most especially my wife and children, my relatives, my supporters, to all Lingiganons, because we are well. We are in good condition. In fact, I was able to call my wife so that I can assure her of our situation in the countryside with the NPA,” Dano said.

The two soldiers also appealed to their commanders to stop all rescue missions to hasten their safe release.

“I am alright and my health is well. I am calling for my relatives, especially for my family, that they will not be bothered with my condition, as the NPA treats us well. We were not hurt by them. Here, we were fed well. That’s why, right now, I am calling for Pres. Noynoy Aquino III to temporarily stop the military operation so that we will be in safe condition, and to hasten the process of hearing our case, and that we will be safe,” Saban said.

And Desamparado, in a separate audio recording, said: “For my family, I would like say to them that they should not fret because I am well. I was not sick, nor was I harmed. The NPA treats me well. By God’s mercy, I would be reunited with my family.”

“I am calling for President Aquino, we are asking for your help to accelerate the process of hearing our case and so that we can safely return home to our loved ones. President Aquino, you are our only hope. We look forward to your ordering the cessation of military operations so that we can regain our freedom,” he said.

Both soldiers are members of the 6th Infantry Battalion assigned to guard the politician.

Rubi del Mundo, spokesman for the National Democratic Front, said the military has launched a full-scale offensive in southern Mindanao.

“The offensives and the hard line stance of the government peace negotiating panel are futile face-saving measures to disparage the NPA’s capability to arrest, detain and try persons in pursuit of revolutionary justice. Aquino should uphold the protective status of NPA captives, recognize the revolutionary movement’s legal-judicial process and suspend the military and police operations to resolve the case of Mayor Dano, Corporal Desamparado, and Private First Class Saban,” Del Mundo said.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with communist rebels in an effort to end decades of bloody fighting in the country. But both sides have not signed any cease-fire agreement and clashes still continue in many parts of the Philippines.

Aside from the mayor and his bodyguards, the NPA is also holding four jail officers - Police Inspectors Murphy Todyog and Eric Llamasares, Special Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo Jr. - who were seized July 21 after a daring rescue of a prisoner Dennis Rodenas in Bukidnon province.

Authorities said Rodenas is a senior rebel leader who is facing a string of criminal charges. He was rescued by dozens of rebels while being transported to a prison facility in Davao. (Mindanao Examiner)