No law was violated in Lakas-Kampi's announcement of preferred bets in 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles said the Wednesday meeting of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD Executive Committee where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno emerged as the preferred presidential and vice-presidential bets of the party in 2010 national polls contravened no law.

The Speaker made the statement following concerns posed by some quarters of the possibility or violations of the election law and a Supreme Court ruling against premature announcement of official candidates.

"Why pick on us?" the House leader asked following the executive committee meeting which conducted an "intelligent and secret consensus taking" vote among the party's leaders nationwide.

Nograles even pointed out possible "hairline" transgressions that could be a concern for other parties who have declared presidential candidates. The administration party, he added, have no officially declared bets yet as the party is still in the selection process.

"We violated nothing. Compare this now with other political parties with declared candidates like the Club Filipino gig of the Liberal Party," Nograles noted.

He also is asking about the nationwide caravan of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino or PMP of former President Joseph Estrada and the barrage of infor-commercials costing hundreds of millions of certain declared presidential candidates.

"Even the so-called live television debates of declared presidential candidates aired by ABS-CBN's ANC channel. Talk shows like Wowowee...the Strictly Politics radio interviews of declared presidential candidates and their countrywide mini-rallies including the launch of campaign contributions dubbed as 'piso-piso' are held even in Davao City and elsewhere," Nograles said.

The SWS Pulse Asia surveys publishing the status of the race of candidates for president and related activities "could be defeating the essence" of our election law relative to the prohibited early campaign activities, he said.

"These acts are designed to promote or defeat a candidate or candidates. Under this legal observation, everyone could be disqualified from running especially those leading in surveys. And that is precisely the heart of dissenting opinions of the now celebrated early campaign doctrine of the Supreme Court," Nograles surmised. (Gil Bugaoisan)

Talks continue for release of Red Cross hostages in the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 15, 2009) – Government negotiations continue Wednesday for the safe release of two foreign Red Cross workers being held by Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists in the southern Filipino province of Sulu.

Provincial governor Dr. Sakur Tan said Muslim clerics are now helping in efforts to convince the terrorists to free Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni who were seized January 15 along with Filipino aid worker Mary Jean Lacaba.

The woman was released on April 2 after a series of negotiations.

“The Ulama are helping us negotiate for the safe release of the two hostages. Everybody wants an end to this hostage crisis,” Tan told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Sulu. He did not elaborate.

Philippine police chief Jesus Verzosa and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno also arrived in Sulu on Wednesday and met with Tan to discuss the progress of the negotiations, said Sonny Abing III, the provincial government spokesman.

“They discussed efforts to free the hostages and other important matters,” Abing said in a separate phone interview.

Puno said the Italian hostage is ill and suffering from hernia. Hernia is a general term used to describe a bulge or protrusion of an organ through the structure or muscle that usually contains it.

“I have asked Governor Sakur Tan is we can send a doctor to examiner Eugenio Vagni,” he told reporters in Zamboanga City.

Puno said security forces would not pull out troops from Indanan town unless the Abu Sayyaf is to free the hostages. “We will not pull out the troops unless it is connected to the release of the hostages in a certain area,” he said.

More policemen were sent to Sulu to help secure the area where the hostages are being held captive.

Police said it wanted to end the hostage crisis peacefully soon. “We are exerting all efforts to help in peacefully resolving this crisis,” Verzosa said.

The Abu Sayyaf has repeatedly threatened to kill the remaining hostages if the military and police do not pull out from several areas in Sulu. Security forces have surrounded the jungle lair of the Abu Sayyaf in the town of Indanan to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their captives.

Hundreds of armed village guards under the supervision of the police and the local mayors also put up a cordon around the Abu Sayyaf stronghold.

Military and police intelligence reports said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among those holding the aid workers - Mauiya, Dulmatin, Zulkifli bin Hir and Umar Patek - who are all wanted by Indonesia for the spate of deadly attacks, including the Bali bombing in 2002. The US has offered at least $16 million rewards for their capture. (Mindanao Examiner)

Abu Sayyaf issues ultimatum, threatens anew to behead Red Cross captive in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding three Red Cross workers have again threatened to decapitate one of three kidnapped Red Cross workers if Manila fails to withdraw more security forces from Sulu province.

The Abu Sayyaf has twice reneged on its promise to free one hostage in exchange for the withdrawal of hundreds of troops and police commandos near its lair in the hinterlands of Indanan town.

Interior Secy. Ronald Puno on Saturday ordered security forces to return to barracks after Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad warned they would behead the hostages – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

The three were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a humanitarian project at a prison in Patikul town.

Now, the Abu Sayyaf issued an ultimatum until 2 p.m. on Tuesday for the government to remove security forces in Sulu. Parad said they will kill one hostage.

“The Abu Sayyaf wanted a larger military and police pull out in Sulu, but this is impossible,” said Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, head of the government task force negotiating for the safe release of the hostages. “We cannot surrender Sulu to the Abu Sayyaf demands.”

Tan was opposed to the pull out of troops and policemen, but was overcome by Puno’s decision in an effort to stop the beheading of the hostages.

Many troops and policemen in Sulu were disgruntled by Puno’s decision to pull them out from Indanan town, saying, it could pave the way for the Abu Sayyaf to escape or consolidate its forces and get more weapons or kidnap more innocent civilians.

Military and police officials declined to give any statement about the reports of growing demoralization among their ranks. (Mindanao Examiner)

DILG, sinisisi sa maling desisyon sa Sulu hostage crisis!

SULU (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2009) – Sinisisi ng mga sundalo si Interior Secy. Ronaldo Puno sa lumalalang problema ng Sulu hostage crisis matapos na muling magbanta ang Abu Sayyaf na tutuluyan ang isang bihag nito.

Hawak pa rin ng Abu Sayyaf sina Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni at Pinay na si Mary Jean Lacaba matapos silang dukutin nuong Enero 15 sa bayan ng Patikul ng bisitahin ang isang humanitarian project sa bilangguan doon.

Si Puno ang nag-utos sa militar at pulisya na umatras mula sa cordon na inilatag ng mga sundalo sa kabundukan ng Indanan na kung saan ay bihag ng mga terorista ang tatlo at ito ay kapalit sana ng pangako ng Abu Sayyaf na palalayain ang isang bihag.

Ngunit hindi ito tinupad Abu Sayyaf at sa halip ay muling humiling na dapat lumikas na ang lahat ng militar at pulisya sa Sulu at kung hindi ay pupugutan ng ulo ngayon alas 2 ng hapon ang isang bihag.

Maging ang pamunuan ng Armed Forces ay tikom ang bibig sa lamalaking demoralisasyon sa hanay ng mga sundalong nasa Sulu. Nais na kasing pasukin at i-rescue ng mga tropa ang bihag at mapatay ang mga lider ng Abu Sayyaf doon.

Dapat umano ay hindi na nakialam si Puno at pinabayaan na lamang sa Marines at kay Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan ang pagresolba sa problema. Maging si Sen. Richard Gordon, na pinuno ng Red Cross sa bansa at ang International Committee of the Red Cross at sinisisi na rin ng ilang mga sundalo dahil sa patuloy nilang pakikagusap sa Abu Sayyaf at ni hindi naman ipinaalam sa Task Force ICRC at sa AFP ang mga napapag-usapan.

Sa pag-atras ng militar at pulisya at mga armadong sibilyan na nakapalibot sa kuta ng Abu Sayyaf ay biglang dumami ang mga ito at may mga bagong armas na rin, ayon sa isang intelligence report.

Hindi naman mabatid kung sino ang nagbigay ng mga armas, ngunit ayon s a naturang ulat ay posibleng makatakas ang Abu Sayyaf sa bayan ng Indanan at magtago sa kagubatan ng Sulu na kung saan ay hindi ito kabisado ng marines.

Nauna ng tumanggi si Tan na paatrasin ang militar at pulisya, ngunit nanaig umano ang kagustuhan ni Puno na mag pull out ang mga tropa dahil sa pangako ng Abu Sayyaf na palalayain ang isang bihag.

Patuloy naman diumano ang pagmo-monitor ng mga sundalong Kano sa Sulu sa naturang sitwasyon at naghihintay lamang na humingi ng tulong ang pamahalaang Arroyo sa US Embassy upang mailigtas ang tatlong bihag. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf terrorists hold on to Red Cross hostages in the Philippines

Security forces and armed village guards pull out Sunday, March 29, 2009 from Indanan town where the Abu Sayyaf is holding hostage three Red Cross workers to allow peaceful negotiations for their safe release. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Nickee Butlangan).

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 29, 2009) – Philippine authorities on Sunday were awaiting release of one of three Red Cross workers being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf after troops pulled out from a terrorist stronghold in the southern province of Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf has twice threatened to behead one hostage by Tuesday if security forces do not move away from its jungle lair in Indanan town.

The group, notorious for killing and kidnapping foreigners for ransom, is holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba after seizing them on January 15 in Patikul town where they inspected a water and sanitation project at a prison facility.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered the military and police to remove their forces around Indanan town to open negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf and save the hostages.

The terrorists previously promised to free one captive after troops pulled out from Indanan, but reneged on its commitment and demanded that armed village guards also move away from near their stronghold.

Wire reports on Sunday said the Abu Sayyaf terrorists were now demanding a bigger military withdrawal with solders staying inside their barracks in Jolo town on the other side of Indanan.

It quoted Sulu Governor Sakur Tan as saying that Parad phoned him to demand for a total military pull out. Tan previously said that any pull out by troops in Indanan town could give the Abu Sayyaf an opportunity to escape with their hostages and consolidate forces and kidnap more civilians, virtually putting at risk many people in the province.

Soldiers were demoralized by orders for them to pull out in Indanan town because three had already died and 23 other wounded in fierce fighting last week after Parad’s group tried to break through from the military cordon.

The military and police said among those holding the aid workers were members of the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya, possibly Dulmatin, Marwan and Umar Patek, all wanted by Jakarta for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 mostly foreigners. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines succumbs to terrorist demands, pulls out troops around Sulu jungle lair

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Exzaminer / Mar. 28, 2009) – The Philippines on Saturday finally surrendered to Abu Sayyaf demands to pull out troops near its jungle lair or terrorists would behead one of three Red Cross hostages in Sulu province.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno was quoted by local journalists as saying that troops will pull out beginning Saturday from the jungle stronghold of Abu Sayyaf terrorists where the aid workers are being held captive.

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

An Abu Sayyaf leader, Albader Parad, have threatened to behead one hostage if security forces are not pulled out from the town until end of this month.

Troops, policemen and armed village guards have put up a cordon in Indanan town to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their hostages.

“We are giving them a breathing space where they feel safe to negotiate,” Puno said, referring to the Abu Sayyaf. “I think we are more than bending over backwards in order that the kidnappers will not feel threatened.”

Puno made a brief stopover in Zamboanga City on his way to Sulu province with Gov. Sakur Tan for a meeting with senior police and military officials.

Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief, said they are waiting for orders whether to pull out or not. “We just take orders from our superiors and if they wanted us to pull back, then there is no problem with us and we can maintain intelligence operations to monitor the movements of the kidnappers,” he said.

Kasim said they have intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf may kill Vagni if security forces are not pulled out in Indanan town. He said the terrorists issued an ultimatum until end of March for security forces to withdraw from the town.

The Abu Sayyaf last week also threatened to behead hostages after two days of clashes that left three soldiers dead and 23 others wounded. Parad was also wounded in the fighting and warned that they will kill the hostage if clashes erupt again or if troops get near them.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in Western Mindanao, ignored phone calls from journalists, while Col. Eugenio Clemen, marine commander in Sulu, declined to give any statement about the pull out of soldiers from Indanan and so was Col. Ernesto Torres, the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to where the hostages belong has appealed again to the Abu Sayyaf to free the Notter, Vagni and Lacaba.

Appearing on a 34-second video on the ICRC website, Jakob Kellenberger, the ICRC's president, appealed to the kidnappers to free the trio.

“I am very concerned by the threats of the kidnappers,” Kellenberger said in a rare appearance. “I am asking for their safe, unconditional and immediate release.”

The appeal was in response to threats made by the Abu Sayyaf that they will kill one of the ICRC captives if their demand for a pull back of troops goes unmet.

”The sole purpose of Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas' work is to give help to those in need. It is impossible to understand what the kidnappers could possibly achieve by hurting them. Harming a humanitarian aid worker cannot be justified under any ideology or religious law,” Kellenberger said in the video, behind him a world map showing red dots where the ICRC is operating.

The ICRC said Kellenberger spoke with Philippine Executive Secretary, Eduardo Ermita, and asked him to ensure that the authorities do everything in their power to save the lives of the hostages, while avoiding any action that could put their lives at risk.

”The ICRC's priority is that Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas remain safe and that they be able to return to their families, who miss them desperately. Their children, parents, siblings, spouses, friends and colleagues will not give up hope of seeing them again soon,” Kellenberger said.

The television network ABS-CBN also showed a video footage of the hostages sitting together and surrounded by their captors, many of them clad in military uniforms and wearing ski masks.

Two of the guards were holding a black banner with Arabic inscriptions similar to what the terrorist group al-Qaeda show in their propaganda videos.

Filipino military intelligence reports said among those holding the aid workers are members of the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya.

Jemaah Islamiya militants led by Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan, is believed to be among the Abu Sayyaf holding the hostages. Two more Jemaah Islamiya terrorists Dulmatin and Umar Patek are also said to be hiding in Sulu.

Zulkifli, who also heads the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM), was believed to be involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines and has been added to most-wanted list of the U.S. Rewards for Justice Program.

The U.S. offered as much as $5-million bounty for the capture of Zulkifli and other known Abu Sayyaf leaders, while Dulmatin carries a $10-million reward on his head and $1-million for Patek. Manila also put aside P100-million bounties for the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders dead or alive. (Mindanao Examiner)