Sulu police headquarters renamed after slain commander

Former Sulu provincial police commander, Chief Superintendent Julasirim Kasim. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 3, 2009) – Sulu Governor Sakur Tan has approved a resolution by the Provincial Legislative Council renaming the provincial police headquarters to Camp Chief Superintendent Julasirim Kasim in honor of the slain police officer.

The resolution, authored by Board Member Hector Buclao, cited Kasim’s courage and bravery during his lifetime as Sulu’s police chief.

“Chief Superintendent Kasim was a man of peace and his many accomplishments as a police chief of Sulu have become a motivation and an inspiration for many policemen in the province. He was a good police officer,” Buclao said, quoting Tan as saying.

Aside from Buclao, the other legislators who signed the resolution were Al-Bakil Jikiri, Kynden Tulawie, Malcom Tulawie, Khalil Hajibin, Moh. Nur Sitin, Nur Hatta, Basaron Burahan and Moh. Bhydir Sarapuddin.

“The late Philippine National Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim died in the line of duty in the pursuit of Abu Sayyaf terrorists. The deceased...exemplified true courage in the performance of his duties. Such courage is a source of pride both for the Philippine National Police and the Provincial Government and the people of Sulu.”

“To perpetuate the unselfish bravery of Senior Superintendent Kasim and as a living memorial to a conduct worthy of an officer and a gentleman…that henceforth, the Philippine National Police headquarters in Sulu be known as Camp General Julasirim Kasim,” the resolution reads.

Kasim and his brother and three other policemen were killed in a firefight with Abu Sayyaf militants in May in Sulu. The police headquarters, located in the capital town of Jolo, was formerly named Camp Asturias. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pulisya sa Sulu, nakaluksa sa pagkamatay ng hepe

Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, bayani ng Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU (Mindanao Examiner / May 8, 2009) – Nakaluksa ngayon ang buong puwersa ng pulisya matapos na mapatay sa ambush si Sulu provincial police commander, Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim at tatlong iba pang pulis at utol nito sa bayan ng Maimbung.

Kilala si Kasim bilang tahimik na opisyal at palaging namumuno sa mga operasyon kontra Abu Sayyaf at masasamang loob sa Sulu. At bagamat marami itong accomplishment ay hindi naman nakahiligan ni Kasim na magpa-press conference o kaya ay magtawag ng media, sa halip ay kay ARMM Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani, ang kanyang hepe, at kay Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan nito ibinibigay ang kanyang report.

Si Kasim rin ang nasa likod ng matagumpay na kampanya ng pamahalaan sa mga "loose firearms" at ilegal na droga sa Sulu. Likas rin itong mahiyain at mapagkumbaba - isa rin si Kasim sa mga respetadong opisyal sa pulisya sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Hindi pa mabatid kung sino ang papalit kay Kasim, ngunit sinabi naman ng pamunuan ng pulisya na depende na ito sa kagustuahan ni Tan.

Tanging papuri naman ang sinambit ni Tan kay Kasim at isang malaking kawalan umano sa pulisya ang maagang pagkasawi ng opisyal at binansagan nitong isang dakila at bayani si Kasim.

Si Kasim ay 55 gulang.

Samantala, nakilala na ang dalawa sa apat na Abu Sayyaf na napatay ng mga parak sa Maibung na sina Abul Rahim at Joko. (Mindanao Examiner)

Four Sayyaf ambushers killed in Sulu province

Photos released by the Sulu Provincial Information Office show the bodies of four Abu Sayyaf militants who were part of a group that ambushed a police convoy Thursday, May 7, 2009 in Maimbung town in Sulu province in the southern Philippines. The ambush killed the Sulu provincial police chief, Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim and three of his aides and a brother, police says.

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 7, 2009) – Policemen killed four Abu Sayyaf militants who were part of a group that ambushed Thursday a police convoy that killed the provincial police chief of Sulu and three of his aides, including his brother.

The four were killed in the ensuing firefight between police forces and the Abu Sayyaf in Maimbung town. Two of the slain attackers were identified as Abul Rahim and Joko.

Officials said militants opened fire with automatic weapons on the convoy in the town of Maimbung, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf; killing Sulu police chief, Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim.

“This is a sad day for all of us. Our chief was killed in the ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf,” said Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, police chief of Jolo town.

Pingay said they tightened security in the capital town after the ambush.

“We are now in high alert, we don’t know what will happen next,” he said.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but Kasim had been in the front line in battling the Abu Sayyaf group which is holding a kidnapped Italian aid worker Eugenio Vagni.

Before he died, Kasim said they were pursuing Vagni’s captors in the towns of Indanan, Parang and Maimbung. Kasim in the past also led the crackdown on suspected Abu Sayyaf supporters and the campaign against illegal weapons in Sulu.

Last December, Abu Sayyaf militants led by Gafur Jumdail attacked a police station in Maibung town, although there were no casualties.
The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the sword,” has been linked by authorities to the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and blamed on the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf ambushed police convoy in Sulu; police chief, 4 others killed

A photo of Sulu provincial police chief, Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, taken in Jolo town two years ago. Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants ambushed a police convoy Thursday, May 7, 2009 killing Kasim along with three other aides and his brother in Sulu's Maimbung town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 7, 2009) – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants ambushed Thursday a police convoy in Sulu in southern Philippines and killing 5 people, including the provincial police chief, officials said.

Officials said militants opened fire with automatic weapons on the convoy in the town of Maimbung, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf; killing Sulu police chief, Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, three of his aides and a brother.

“This is a sad day for all of us. Our chief was killed in the ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf,” said Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, police chief of Jolo town.

Pingay said they tightened security in the capital town after the ambush. “We are now in high alert, we don’t know what will happen next,” he said.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but Kasim had been in the front line in battling the Abu Sayyaf group which is holding a kidnapped Italian aid worker Eugenio Vagni.

Before he died, Kasim said they were pursuing Vagni’s captors in the towns of Indanan, Parang and Maimbung.

Kasim in the past also led the crackdown on suspected Abu Sayyaf supporters and the campaign against illegal weapons in Sulu.

Last December, Abu Sayyaf militants led by Gafur Jumdail attacked a police station in Maibung town, although there were no casualties.

The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the sword,” has been linked by authorities to the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and blamed on the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police tightens security in Sulu after Sayyaf clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 27, 2009) – Police said it tightened security in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where Abu Sayyaf militants are holding the last of three kidnapped Italian aid worker Eugenio Vagni.

Police on Monday said the militants holding Vagni have split into smaller groups and the fate of the ailing Italian is unknown. “They have split into smaller groups to confuse security forces tracking them down,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner by phone.

He said another Abu Sayyaf faction in the town of Talipao was trying to link up with the group holding Vagni in Indanan town. Two Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and two other wounded in a clash April 24 with policemen in Talipao town, Kasim said.

He said a government school in Indanan town was also torched by unidentified men on Sunday in Indanan town, just 100 meter from a military post.

“We have tightened our security in Sulu, especially in Talipao, Indanan and the Parang town to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from regrouping or escaping the cordon around those areas,” Kasim said.

Manila has offered P500,000 reward for anybody who could provide information about Vagni, who is suffering from hernia.

Vagni and Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, all workers of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a humanitarian project in Patikul town.

Police said it rescued Notter in Indanan town on April 18 after the Abu Sayyaf tried to escape from a cordon guarded by armed civilians. On April 2, Filipino Red Cross staff Mary Jean Lacaba was released by the Abu Sayyaf.

Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, has repeatedly appealed for Vagni’s safe release.

“Andreas Notter last saw Eugenio on April 16 when they were separated. Since then the ICRC has not received any news. All of us at the ICRC are very concerned about Eugenio,” he said.

“For Eugenio's family, the nightmare of this abduction continues. His baby daughter is growing fast, and she has not seen her father for a hundred days. We hope that he will have her in his arms again very soon. There will be no rest for any of us until this crisis is resolved.”

Unconfirmed media reports said Vagni was handed over by his captors to another armed group in Sulu after Notter’s rescue. There were also reports that Lacaba and Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for ransoms, but this was denied by authorities.

“We are aware of these reports and take them seriously. However, we have no further information on the matter. We are also renewing our appeal to the abductors' sense of humanity, especially in the light of Eugenio's medical situation. We urge them to release our colleague safe and sound, immediately and unconditionally,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC also appealed to the police and military to assure the safety of Vagni after several clashes between security and Abu Sayyaf forces in recent days.

“We maintain close contact with all those trying to find a solution to this crisis, in particular the local and national authorities. The ICRC reiterates that Eugenio’s safety is of paramount importance. We are once again asking all those involved in this crisis to avoid taking any action that could compromise Eugenio's safety. This is all the more important in view of his medical condition,” Aeschlimann said.

He said Lacaba and Notter were reunited with their families and despite the crisis the ICRC will continue to assist and protect the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence in the Philippines, particularly in Central Mindanao, where tens of thousands of families are still living in evacuation shelters because of the fighting between military and Muslim rebel forces. (Mindanao Examiner)

Security forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu; fate of Italian hostage unknown

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 26, 2009) – Government forces clashed with the Abu Sayyaf on Sunday in the southern Philippine province where the militant group is holding a kidnapped Italian aid worker, officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted in the hinterlands of Talipao town, but there were no reports of casualties. The Abu Sayyaf is holding Eugenio Vagni, the last of three international Red Cross workers seized snatched January 15 after inspecting a water and sanitation project in Patikul town.

“There was clash this morning. We still don’t know if there were Abu Sayyaf casualties in the fighting in Talipao,” said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief.

He said security forces are still tracking down Vagni who is being held by another Abu Sayyaf faction in Indanan town on the opposite side of Talipao. “We have no reports about Vagni,” he said.

Manila has offered P500,000 reward for anybody who could provide information about Vagni, who is ill and suffering from hernia.

Last week, police said it rescued Swiss aid worker Andreas Notter in Indanan town after the Abu Sayyaf tried to escape from a cordon guarded by armed civilians. On April 2, Filipino Red Cross staff Mary Jean Lacaba was released by the Abu Sayyaf.

Alain Aeschlimann, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, has repeatedly appealed for Vagni’s safe release.
“Andreas Notter last saw Eugenio on April 16 when they were separated. Since then the ICRC has not received any news. All of us at the ICRC are very concerned about Eugenio,” he said.

“For Eugenio's family, the nightmare of this abduction continues. His baby daughter is growing fast, and she has not seen her father for a hundred days. We hope that he will have her in his arms again very soon. There will be no rest for any of us until this crisis is resolved.”

Unconfirmed media reports said Vagni was handed over by his captors to another armed group in Sulu after Notter’s rescue. There were also reports that Lacaba and Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for ransoms, but this was denied by authorities.

“We are aware of these reports and take them seriously. However, we have no further information on the matter. We are also renewing our appeal to the abductors' sense of humanity, especially in the light of Eugenio's medical situation. We urge them to release our colleague safe and sound, immediately and unconditionally,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC also appealed to the police and military to assure the safety of Vagni after several clashes between security and Abu Sayyaf forces in recent days.

“We maintain close contact with all those trying to find a solution to this crisis, in particular the local and national authorities. The ICRC reiterates that Eugenio’s safety is of paramount importance. We are once again asking all those involved in this crisis to avoid taking any action that could compromise Eugenio's safety. This is all the more important in view of his medical condition,” Aeschlimann said.

He said Lacaba and Notter were reunited with their families and despite the crisis the ICRC will continue to assist and protect the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence in the Philippines, particularly in Central Mindanao, where tens of thousands of families are still living in evacuation shelters because of the fighting between military and Muslim rebel forces. (Mindanao Examiner)

Red Cross hostage, parang bula na nawala sa Sulu

SULU (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 24, 2009) – Mistulang karayom sa malawak na kakahuyan ang paghahanap na isinasagawa ng militar at pulisya sa nalalabing Italyanong Red Cross hostage ng Abu Sayyaf sa Sulu province.

Tatlong araw ng pinaghahanap ng daan-daang mga sundalo at parak si Eugenio Vagni ngunit bigo pa rin ang mga ito na matagpuan ang dayuhan na sinasabing may sakit sa kabundukan ng Sulu.

Dalawang bayan ng Sulu – sa Indanan at Parang – ang Sentro ng search and rescue operation matapos na mahiwalay si Vagni sa kasamahang si Swiss national Andreas Notter na nailigtas naman ng mga parak nuong nakaraang linggo.

Inamin ni Notter na hirap na hirap si Vagni sa kanyang kalagayan dahil sa pamamaga ng mga bayag nito sanhi ng hernia. Si Notter ay nakabalik na sa kanyang bansa.

Unang pinalaya ng Abu Sayyaf nuong Abril 2 si Mary Jean Lacaba, ang kasamang Pinay nina Vagni at Notter. Dinukot ang tatlong nuong Enero 15 matapos na bisitahin ang isang humanitarian project sa bilangguan sa bayan ng Patikul.

Nag-alok na rin ang mga awtoridad ng P500,000 bilang pabuya sa sinumang makakapagturo ng kinaroroonan ni Vagni. Nauna kasing napaulat na ibinigay ng Abu Sayyaf sa ilalim ni Albader Parad si Vagni sa isang grupo ng mga rebelde, ngunit itinanggi naman ito ng militar.

Kamakalawa ay nagkaroon ng sagupaan sa bayan ng Talipao sa pagitan ng Abu Sayyaf at mga awtoridad, ngunit wala namang inulat na nasawi, ayon kay Sulu police chief Julasirim Kasim. (Mindanao Examiner)

Swiss Red Cross hostage rescued in Philippines

A photo released by the Sulu Provincial Government showed Swiss national Andreas Notter, of the International Committee of the Red Cross, after policemen and armed villagers rescued him from the Abu Sayyaf in Indanan town in Sulu province on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Notter is presented by Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan to Interior Secy. Ronaldo Puno and Defense chief Gilberto Toeodoro. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding Italian Red Cross hostage Eugenio Vagni, both men and Filipino aid worker Mary Jean Lacaba were kidnapped January 15 in Sulu. Lacaba was freed on April 2 in Indanan town. (Best available photo / Caption by the Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 18) – Police forces and armed civilians have rescued Saturday one of two foreign Red Cross workers kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

Swiss national Andreas Notter was rescued as the Abu Sayyaf tried to spirit him from police cordon at around 5.30 a.m. in Indanan town, sources said. Aside from the Swiss, the Abu Sayyaf is still holding Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni, but he was not with the group that held Notter.

Policemen and armed villagers, led by Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, were guarding the area when they spotted Notter along with a group of armed men and pursued them until the Swiss hostage was rescued.

“The Abu Sayyaf guards were overwhelmed by police forces and armed villagers and they had no choice but to leave Notter behind. He was later brought to the house of Governor Sakur Tan, who is the head of the crisis management committee,” said one source privy to the rescue operation.

It was unknown how the Abu Sayyaf managed to pass through a military cordon in the town’s jungle undetected by soldiers.

But hundreds of policemen and armed village guards have also put up a cordon near the highways in Indanan to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from escaping. It was near the area where they intercepted Notter’s group.

The military insisted troops found Notter and that he was abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf because of pressure exerted by the cordon set up by soldiers in the jungle.

Tan presented the freed hostage to Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro and Interior Secy. Ronaldo Puno at his house. They later held a press conference at the Provincial Capitol where Notter thanked the authorities for his rescue.

“I would like to thank you all. I know all of you have a lot of sacrifices. I would like to thank the authorities of course, the security forces, thank very much,” Notter said.

He said Vagni is still alive, but is very ill. “Eugenio Vagni is injured. He must be released as soon as possible,” Notter said.

Tan said Notter was rescued and brought to his home where the Swiss man was given food. “He is okay and we are glad that he was rescued safely,” he said.

While in Tan’s house, Notter was served with lobster, crabs, fish, chicken and steamed rice.

Notter was later flown by a helicopter to a military base in Zamboanga City, but the ICRC barred journalists from taking his photos.

Manila said government negotiations were continuing for the safe release of the hostages. Provincial governor Sakur Tan said Muslim clerics are now helping in efforts to convince the terrorists to Notter and 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.

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

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

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.

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)

Police to file charges vs. supplier of explosives in Sulu

A fisherman in Sulu province in the southern Philippines paddles his boat off Jolo town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 11, 2009) – Sulu provincial governor Sakur Tan has ordered the police to file criminal charges against a man whose house yielded thousands of blasting caps and chemical fertilizer used in the manufacture of homemade explosives.

Policemen, backed by soldiers, raided the house of Hajji Nahrin Akmad in Jolo town on April 9 and seized more than 700 kilos of banned ammonium nitrate, 8,000 pieces of blasting caps, a pistol and 13 rolls of time fuse.

Authorities also seized some P80,000 in cash from Akmad’s house. Police said Akmad was able to escape even before security forces could arrive.

“Sulu Governor Sakur Tan has ordered us to immediately file charges against the house owner,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Kasim said the military has taken custody of all those seized from Akmad’s house.

“It should be turned over to us. We need all those things so we can immediately file appropriate charges against Akmad,” he said.

Police said Akmad was believed to be supplying improvised explosives for illegal fishing and probably to the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding two kidnapped Red Cross workers Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni in Sulu’s Indanan town and has threatened to behead the captives if Manila does not pull out security forces which have set a cordon around the terrorist group.

Another Red Cross hostage, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, was freed April 2 by the Abu Sayyaf allegedly in exchange for a huge ransom. But the Red Cross denied that ransom was paid for her safe release.

The trio was kidnapped on January 15 after inspecting a humanitarian project at a prison in Indanan town. A dismissed jail guard Raden Abu led the kidnapping and handed over the victims to the Abu Sayyaf days later after his name surfaced in police reports. Local media reports said the Abu Sayyaf demanded ransom between $5 million to $10 million. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf threatens anew to behead Red Cross hostages in the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 25, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf terrorists have threatened to beheaded anew one of their three Red Cross hostages if security forces do not pull out near their jungle stronghold in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, police said on Wednesday.

The Abu Sayyaf is holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugene Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba in the hinterlands of Indanan town where soldiers, policemen and armed village guards have put up a cordon to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their hostages.

“We have intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf may kill Vagni if security forces are not pulled out in Indanan town. We are trying to verify these reports,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the terrorists issued an ultimatum until end of this month for the government to pull out security forces.

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

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces overseeing the operations in Sulu, said security forces will continue to maintain its presence in Indanan town and is closely working with Kasim and Sakur Tan, the provincial governor, who heads the government task force in-charge of securing the safe release of the hostages.

“We will maintain our presence in Indanan town,” he said, adding, any withdrawal of troops could pave the way for terrorists to escape and consolidate their forces.

Tan also rejected Abu Sayyaf demands for a military pull out. “That is tantamount to surrendering the whole town to terrorists. I will not allow that to happen,” he said.

Hundreds of villagers have armed themselves and were helping the police and military secure the town and prevent the terrorists from breaking out of the military cordon.

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)

Philippine troops clash with Sayyaf terrorists holding Red Cross workers

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 16, 2009) – Security forces clashed Monday with Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding hostage three Red Cross workers in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, police said.

The fighting erupted in the hinterlands of Indanan town where soldiers and police forces have encircled an area where the terrorists are holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino woman Mary Jean Lacaba.

The three, who are working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), were kidnapped on January 15 after inspecting water and sanitation project at a prison in Patikul town.

There were no reports about the hostages. The Abu Sayyaf reportedly demanded $10-million ransoms for the freedom of the hostages.

Police said there were unconfirmed reports that one of the terrorist leaders Albader Parad was either wounded or killed in the fighting. “We are trying to confirm that report,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Parad was a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996.

General Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in Western Mindanao, ignored phone calls from journalists who wanted to confirm reports about Parad’s death.

The ICRC has repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of the hostages.
“We are doing everything we can to obtain the safe and swift release of our staff. It's frustrating for everyone, especially our three kidnapped colleagues and their families that this has gone on for so long. We would very much like to see some rapid and meaningful progress towards resolving this crisis.”

“There are a lot of different people within and outside the ICRC, who are working to make this happen. We're counting on everyone involved to do their utmost to ensure the safe and unconditional release of Mary Jean, Andreas and Eugenio. Their wellbeing must come first and no action should be undertaken that would put their lives in danger. We reiterate our appeal to the kidnappers to let them go,” said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific.

He said the last time they talked with the captives on the phone was on March 11.

“We were able to talk to Mary Jean, Andreas and Eugenio on Wednesday, 11 March. It was our first direct contact with them in almost three weeks so it was very good to speak with all three and know that they are together. They sound calm and composed, considering the enormous stress of this situation,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC said it would not pay ransoms to the Abu Sayyaf and appealed for the safe release of the hostages.

”We are in regular contact with the families of Mary Jean, Andreas and Eugenio. Unless you've lived through something like this yourself, I think it's impossible to imagine their anguish. We are trying our best to comfort them and give them the support they need. Only the safe and rapid release of our colleagues can bring them any real relief.”

"As ICRC workers, the job of Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas is to alleviate the suffering of those who have been adversely affected by situations of armed conflict or internal violence. Our colleagues and their families have suffered immensely over the past two months. We hope it will not be long before they are home together again,” Aeschlimann said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sulu jail warden killed in gun attack

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 2, 2009) – Unidentified gunmen killed the provincial jail warden of Sulu in an attack Monday and police is eyeing vendetta as the motive in the murder.

Jajulie Jupakkal was shot dead by one of two motorcycle gunmen in the capital town of Jolo, said Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief.

“We are investigating all angle and this could be a vendetta killing,” Kasim told the Mindanao Examiner, adding, the murder could be related to the victim’s job as jail warden.

He said Jupakkal had been suspended after 11 prisoners bolted the provincial jail in Patikul town on January 13. One prisoner was also killed during his escape.

Two days later, a jail guard, Raden Abu, who was also dismissed over the jail break, kidnapped three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba – who inspected a water and sanitation at the prison facility.

Police said Abu handed over the prisoners to the Abu Sayyaf several days later after he was tagged as the masterminded in the kidnapping.

Kasim said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recommended the suspension of Jupakkal to pave way for an impartial investigation into the jail break. “From what we gathered, those who escaped from jail have already joined the Abu Sayyaf group, which is now holding the Red Cross workers,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf gang holding the aid workers is headed by Albader Parad and Yasser Igasan, said to be the chieftain of the terrorist group. Parad’s group reportedly demanded $10-million ransom for the safe release of the hostages, and this was on top of an earlier demand for the military to dismantle its cordon around the jungle of Indanan where they are holed out.

The Philippine News Service said the Abu Sayyaf is also considering swapping the hostages to Abu Sayyaf terrorists jailed in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Red Cross sends medicines to hostages in the southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 27, 2009) – The International Committee of the Red Cross has sent fresh supplies of medicines to three aid workers kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf is holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba in the jungle of Indanan town. The trio was kidnapped in Patikul town after they inspected a humanitarian project at a local prison.

“We know from reliable sources that they received fresh supplies of medicines that we sent them,” said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific.

The terrorists reportedly demanded $10-million ransoms for the safe release of the hostages and the pull out of security forces from around an area where they are holed out.

The kidnappers are also considering swapping the hostages with jailed Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Philippines, according to a report by the Philippine News Service.

It said the Abu Sayyaf could end up swapping Notter, Vagni and Lacaba to any of at least 135 terrorists jailed in Manila. Among those in prisons are Hector Janjalani, elder brother of slain Abu Sayyaf chieftain Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, and other Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya bombers.

The ICRC said it has no contact with the hostages since last week, although, the Abu Sayyaf allowed a television interview recently.

“The three of them made contact with the ICRC and their families a week ago. Since then, we have not had any direct contact with them. In two media interviews, Mary Jean and Andreas said they were feeling weaker and having some health problems. It's hard to confirm what is being reported by the media, but we are concerned about their health and about the fatigue and stress they are suffering,” Aeschlimann said.

“It is very difficult to know precisely where they are. There is a lot of speculation about that. All we can say at this stage is that we know they have been on the move over recent days and that they have had to walk in very difficult conditions, through the jungle and often in the rain. All of this has apparently weakened them.”

Aeschlimann appealed anew to the Abu Sayyaf to free the hostages, one of them Vagni, is reportedly sick.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the fate of the hostages. “They should release the hostages without conditions. The Abu Sayyaf cannot blame the government for what is happening to the hostages. It is them who should be blamed for the kidnapping of the Red Cross workers,” he said.

Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu province, who heads the task force working for the safe release of the hostages, rejected the kidnappers' demand and called on the Abu Sayyaf to free their captives unharmed. Tan said the government will not pay ransom to the kidnappers.

Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, said security forces are only awaiting orders to rescue the hostages. “We are awaiting orders to rescue the hostages. Security forces have cordoned off the Abu Sayyaf in the hinterlands,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Chinese bakery owner snatched in South RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 02, 2009) – Unidentified men abducted a Chinese bakery owner Monday in the southern Philippine island of Sulu, police and military said.

Police said the victim, Dionghan Que, 60, was snatched in the capital town of Jolo while on his way home.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, but previous kidnappings had been largely blamed to Abu Sayyaf bandits, whose group is holding hostage three Red Cross workers – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

“There is a pursuit operation. We cannot say anything more,” said Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim.

He said a jeep used by the kidnappers was abandoned and recovered by the police near Indanan town.

The mayor of Jolo, Hussin Amin, could not be reached for statement. The military said Que’s family also owns a restaurant in Jolo. “There are no updates yet,” said Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman.

Police said it is still investigating the motive of the abduction and that there was no demand for ransom. The Abu Sayyaf is also holding captive Xili Wu, a Chinese trader kidnapped also in Jolo town in December last year. (Mindanao Examiner)

5 injured in grenade blast in Southern RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 1, 2008) – Five people were hurt when a rifle grenade exploded near a military base in the southern Philippine island of Sulu, police said on Thursday.

Police said the M79 grenade exploded on a road in the village of Liang in Patikul town, injuring a minor, two teenagers and two adults, all of them civilians.

“We are still investigating the incident. We don’t know who fired the M79 grenade, but the military claimed it was an improvised explosive device,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the island’s police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner newspaper.

Kasim said there is an ongoing operation to collect illegal weapons in Sulu on orders from the island’s governor Sakur Tan.

Tan last year ordered police and military to arrest all civilians and politicians who own illegal weapons or maintain private armed gangs in an effort to rid Sulu of criminalities.

Kasim said the campaign is effective and has drastically reduced the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in Sulu.

But many illegal weapons are still in the hands of rebel groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf and the breakaway factions of the Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with Manila in 1996.

Security forces are battling the rebels in Sulu’s hinterlands where they usually seek cover from government offensives. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding a Chinese trader, Xili Wu, it seized in Sulu last month.

Authorities have tagged the Abu Sayyaf group as behind the spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks across Mindanao. The Abu Sayyaf, which means "The Bearer of the Sword," has been labeled a terrorist organization by both Manila and Washington, and is believed by the US to have links with the al-Qaeda terror network. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf frees kidnapped Muslim school principal, but still holds to Chinese trader in the southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 16, 2008) – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have freed a kidnapped Muslim school principal, but are still holding a Chinese trader in the southern island of Sulu, police said Tuesday.

Police said the kidnappers released Kasim Pakkam late Monday in the village of Lanao Dakula in Parang town.

Pakkam, kidnapped on Dec. 12, was earlier identified by the police and military as Pakkam Hashim, the principal of Parang’s Kutah Sairap Elementary School.

Police said no ransom was paid for the safe release of Pakkam. It said the kidnapping was connected to family feud, but police could not say why the Abu Sayyaf had been dragged into the quarrel.

“Pakkam has been freed unharmed. He is okay and reunited with his family. We are still tracking down the other Chinese hostage, Xili Wu, who is still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf,” Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped a Wu as he was closing his electronics store in Jolo town at around 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Unconfirmed reports said the kidnappers were demanding P10 million ransoms for Wu’s freedom, Kasim said, adding, the mayor of Jolo, Hussin Amin, has convened the crisis management committee, to tackle the kidnapping of the foreigner, who is a native of Fujian province in China.

Police said the 28-year old Wu was using the alias of Peter Go, who is staying in Jolo with four other Chinese nationals since December last year. Wu co-owns the Perlas Trading in downtown Jolo.

Authorities implicated Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad as behind Wu’s kidnapping.

Kasim said about four kidnappers; all clad in camouflage uniform and armed with automatic weapons, seized Wu after disarming his private security guards and dragged him to a waiting van in front of horrified civilians. Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, the Jolo police chief, said they are investigating how the foreigners were able to put up a business in Jolo.

The Abu Sayyaf group has been linked to the spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks in the Philippines and is labeled a terrorist organization by both Manila and Washington, and is believed by the US to have links with the al-Qaeda terror network and Jemaah Islamiya.

The Philippine government, aided by the US military, has deployed thousands of troops in the south in an effort to eradicate Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Chinese trader kidnapped by Sayyaf in Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 14, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped a Chinese trader in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, police said Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief, said at least four gunmen seized Peter Go, 28, as he was closing his electronics store in Jolo town at around 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“Initial reports pointed to Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad as behind the kidnapping of the Chinese trader, whose alias is Peter Go,” Kasim told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the kidnappers; all clad in camouflage uniform and armed with automatic weapons, and dragged the victim to a waiting van in front of horrified civilians.

Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, the Jolo police chief, said Go’s real name is Xili Wu, from the Chinese province of Fujian. He said police forces pursued the kidnappers, but lost them in Indanan town.

He said Li is one of five Chinese traders who own Perlas Trading in downtown Jolo.

“It was quick; the kidnappers disarmed the security guard of the store and grabbed Xili and sped away using a van, which was probably stolen. We are tracking down the kidnappers,” Pingay said.

He said the police are investigating how the Chinese nationals, who used aliases, were able to put up a business in Jolo town. He said the foreigners arrived in Jolo in December last year and since then operated the Perlas Trading.

The Abu Sayyaf on Friday also seized Pakkam Hashim, the principal of Kutah Sairap Elementary School in the village of Wanni Piyanjihan in Parang town also in Sulu, according to the military.

Army Lieutenant Steffani Cacho tagged Abu Sayyaf leader Gafur Jumdail as behind the kidnapping of Hashim. The motive of the kidnapping is still unknown, she said.

“As far as we know the Abu Sayyaf is behind both kidnappings,” Cacho said.

Authorities tagged the Abu Sayyaf group as behind the spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks across Mindanao.

The Abu Sayyaf, which means “The Bearer of the Sword,” has been labeled a terrorist organization by both Manila and Washington, and is believed by the US to have links with the al-Qaeda terror network.

The Philippine government, aided by the US military, has deployed thousands of troops in the south in an effort to eradicate Abu Sayyaf. (Mindanao Examiner)

Militants attack police station in South RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 5, 2008) – Abu Sayyaf militants fired at a police station in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, but there were no reports of casualties or injuries, officials said Friday.

Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, Sulu provincial police chief, said police forces pursued the attackers, but did not catch up with them. The attack, he said, occurred at around 7 p.m. Wednesday in Maimbung town while policemen were having dinner.

“We have stepped up operation against the Abu Sayyaf and deployed more forces in the area to hunt down the attackers led by Abu Sayyaf commander Gafur Jumdail,” he said.

Kasim said the militants fired a rifle grenade, but it fell shortly and exploded in front of the police station. “We still don’t know the motive of the attack. It could be in retaliation to our continued operation against lawlessness,” he said.

The military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters said at least 7 Abu Sayyaf members attacked the police station. “”There was no report of casualties,” said military spokesperson, Lieutenant Steffani Cacho.

It was unknown if the attack was connected to last month’s raid by anti-narcotics agents and soldiers on a huge marijuana plantation allegedly maintained by the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf, which means “Bearer of the sword,” has been linked by authorities to the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and blamed on the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

2 Killed, 9 Wounded In Clan War In Southern RP Isle

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 31, 2008) – At least two people were killed and 9 others wounded in a firefight between followers of two Muslim clans in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, police said Friday.

Police said the fighting erupted in the island of Tulayan in the town of Luuk late Thursday afternoon. “Two people are dead in the fighting and at least nine more were wounded in the fighting between two warring Muslim clans,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Kasim said more policemen were sent to the island to prevent the escalation of hostilities between the Omar and Buclao families, which have been fighting over ancestral lands.

He said Gov. Sakur Tan ordered police and military to disarm the protagonists and seize all illegal weapons on the island and file criminal charges against those involved in the fighting. “There is a joint police and military operation to disarm private armies in the area,” he said.

Tan previously ordered authorities to dismantle private armies and seize all illegal weapons and declared a total gun ban in the province.

Kasim said the protagonists traded mortar fire and engaged in sporadic clashes that lasted well into the night. He said the fighting subsided after police, backed by government soldiers, were deployed on the island.

Police said fighting in May between the two warring Muslim families of Arbison and Amiril in Luuk town also killed one person and wounded six others. The fighting, it said, was triggered by an old family feud.

Clan feud or rido is common in many parts of the southern Philippines. The U.S. Agency for International Development and think tank Asia Foundation have said more than 3,000 people have been killed over the past seven decades in family feuds in the southern Philippines.

Rido can involve disputes among family members or among two or more rival families, pitting neighbors or different ethnic groups against each other. The disputes center on issues of land, money, marriage or political power and involve revenge killing.

The violence increases with each act of retaliation, broadening to include those not directly involved in the dispute, including women and children, according to the Asia Foundation, adding, some feuds lasted for decades. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police Hold 2 Men Implicated In Failed Bombing In South RP

JOLO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 7, 2008) – Police have arrested two men who were wounded after an improvise explosive they had planted at a village in the remote Pandami island in the southern Philippines province of Sulu went off prematurely, police said Tuesday.

Provincial police chief Julasirim Kasim said the two – Hadnan Aluk and Nassal Hajibudin - are facing criminal charges over the failed attack Friday on the island.

He said two planted the bomb near the house of Antil Ulangutan, but it exploded prematurely and wounding them. “The two men are now in police custody, but they are still recuperating from their wounds,” Kasim told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the failed attack was connected to a family feud. Sporadic clashes, he said, were also reported last week between the protagonists.

“Everything is under control. We have beefed up police security in the area to prevent the escalation of hostilities between feuding families,” Kasim said.

Kasim said the two men were also implicated in previous bombing in Pandami that wounded several people. “The feud is connected to politics,” he said without elaborating further. (Mindanao Examiner)