Italian philanthropist Armando De Rossi Donates 14 Ambulances To RP

USS Harpers Ferry. Search this site for related news video of Armando De Rossi.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 22 Oct ) – An Italian philanthropist Armado De Rossi has donated 14 ambulances to the Philippines where U.S. humanitarian efforts are ongoing.

The USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) will be transporting the ambulances from Subic Bay Freeport to Zamboanga City where it would be sent to Jolo and Tawi-Tawi islands, said Marine Lance Cpl. David Rogers of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs.

He said The 3P (Promotion of Peace and Prosperity in the Philippines) Foundation headed by De Rossi purchased 14 Ford F350 ambulances to donate to places throughout the Philippines in an effort to bring better medical supplies and capabilities to local provinces.

In Zamboanga City, U.S. Air Force Major John Redfield, public affairs officer, said Sunday that the U.S. military is helping by providing the transportation. Five of the ambulances, he said, would be donated to the Zamboanga City Fire Department; the Jolo Rescue Network; the Camp Asturias Hospital on Jolo; the Jolo Red Cross; and a clinic on Tawi Tawi.

De Rossi said that once the ambulances are delivered to their final destinations, they will save plenty of lives. “We're just here to promote the goodwill of America to the Filipino people, and to show the Filipinos that the United States cares," he said.

De Rossi is actively involved in humanitarian activities in Jolo and had donated tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure and medical equipment on the island.

Harpers Ferry is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which serves under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. (Mindanao Examiner)

Ransom Paid For 4 Jolo Hostages?

Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, center, speaks at a news conference Saturday 21 Oct 2006 in Zamboanga City, as he presents 4 freed kidnapped Filipino engineers to journalists. Cedo tags the Abu Sayyaf as behind the kidnapping of the four men, one of them, engineer Romeo Rivera, 4th from left, who works for the United States Agency for Internatioanal Development-Growth for Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM). (Mindanao Examiner)

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 22 Oct) – An unspecified amount of ransom was believed paid to kidnappers in the restive southern Philippine island of Jolo in exchange for the freedom of four Filipino hostages, a military source said Sunday.

The four men, engineers Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); and Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo were recovered by troops on Friday, two days after their own native bodyguards kidnapped them while inspecting a Washington-funded road project in the town called Parang.

Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo later tagged the Abu Sayyaf group as behind the kidnapping and identified three of the captors as brothers Anni and Iting Sailani and Bong Iskandal (other reports say Sakandal).

Colonel Reynaldo Sealana, commander of an army brigade on Jolo island, said the four had been freed without ransom.

“The kidnappers freed the hostages without ransom because of mounting military pressure,” Sealana said.He said the kidnappers freed the hostages before a 24-hour military ultimatum for their release was to end on Friday.

He said villagers angered by the incident also threatened to seize the families and relatives of the kidnappers if they don’t free the four men.

But the regional police chief Joel Goltiao told reporters that the four had escaped from their captors late Wednesday. “They were able to escape from their captor; that is what they told the police,” Goltiao said.

The source said private negotiators allegedly paid ransom in exchange for the four men. The ransom payment was sanctioned by provincial government officials, the source claimed.

But the island’s governor Benjamin Loong said the hostages escaped after their captors fell asleep. “The hostages really escaped from the kidnappers,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

One of the freed victim said the kidnappers demanded at least P30 million ransoms in exchange for their freedom.“The kidnappers asked P20 million from me and my companion and another P10 million from Rivera,” Rubio said.

The military said troops were pursuing the kidnappers, who had been implicated in the spate of killings of soldiers and civilians, including Filipino news photographer Gene Boyd Lumawag two years ago, on Jolo island, about 950 km south of Manila. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sayyaf Behind Jolo Kidnapping: Military

Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo shows photographs of two Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, brothers Anni and Iting Sailani. And the freed hostages, from top, Romeo Rivera, Isidro Amoramo, Larry Bautista and Reynaldo Rubio. (Mindanao Examiner/Uly Israel)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 21 Oct) – The Philippine military on Saturday tagged the Abu Sayyaf group as behind the kidnapping of a US aid worker and three other Filipinos in the troubled island of Jolo.

The four hostages were recovered by troops on a village in Parang town on Friday and were brought to Zamboanga City where military doctors examined them.

The victims, engineers Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); and Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo were kidnapped Tuesday while inspecting a Washington-funded road project in the town.

Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo identified three kidnappers as brothers Anni and Iting Sailani and Bong Iskandal.

“Three of their captors were positively identified as members of the Abu Sayyaf Group’s Urban Terror Group based from the pictures presented to the victims as: Bong Iskandal, Anni Sailani and Iting Sailani,” Cedo said at a news conference where the four freed hostages told their ordeals.

Colonel Reynaldo Sealana, commander of an army brigade on Jolo island, said the four had been freed without ransom. “The kidnappers freed the hostages without ransom because of mounting military pressure,” Sealana said.

He said the kidnappers freed the hostages before a 24-hour military ultimatum for their release was to end on Friday. He said villagers angered by the incident also threatened to seize the families and relatives of the kidnappers if they don’t free the four men.

But the regional police chief Joel Goltiao told reporters that the four had escaped from their captors late Wednesday. “They were able to escape from their captor; that is what they told the police,” Goltiao said.

One of the freed victim said the kidnappers demanded at least P30 million ransoms in exchange for their freedom.

“The kidnappers asked P20 million from me and my companion and another P10 million from Rivera,” Rubio said.

He said the kidnappers did not harm them and said they only wanted money. “We were not harmed,” he said. “I knew the risk when we went to Jolo and I also know that there are more good people on the island. I still have trust on them,” he said.

Rubio said his captors took his ATM (automated teller machine) card and was able to withdraw about P60,000 from a bank in Jolo island. “I was told about it by the bank,” he said.

Despite the kidnapping, Rivera said he will return to Jolo island to finish the stalled road project.

“I will return to Jolo despite what had happened. I will return to continue the work that will benefit a lot of Muslims,” said Rivera, who nearly broke into tears while telling their ordeal in the hands of their captors.

His companion, Bautista, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said his ordeal has made him closer to God.

“The experience made me closer to God. My ordeal has made my faith in God stronger,” he said.

The military said troops were pursuing the kidnappers, who had been implicated in the spate of killings of soldiers and civilians, including Filipino news photographer Gene Boyd Lumawag two years ago, on Jolo island, about 950 km south of Manila. (Mindanao Examiner)

US Marines Rescue 4 Filipino Fishermen Off Palawan Island In Central RP

US Marines on two rubber boats head to a Philippine military base in the southern port city of Zamboanga on Friday 20 Oct 2006 bringing with them four Filipino fishermen -- brothers Jimmy, Giovani and Raymond Degracia and Andrew Sumandal, all from the town of Puyo in Palawan island -- they rescued after 3 days at sea from a sinking boat off Palawan island in central RP. (Mindanao Examiner/Photos by Darwin Wee and Uly Israel)

(Mindanao Examiner MP4)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 20 Oct) - Four Filipino fishermen whose boat capsized were rescued after 3 days at sea by US Marines taking part in a humanitarian mission in the southern Philippines, a US Marine said Friday.

The four arrived Friday onboard two military rubber boats at a naval base in Zamboanga City a day after they were spotted by a US helicopter off Palawan island in the central Philippines.

The Philippine military identified the fishermen as brothers Jimmy, Giovani and Raymond Degracia and Andrew Sumandal, all from the town of Puyo in Palawan island.

Filipino military doctors examined the fishermen and gave them food before they hand them over to a local social action center.

"They were rescued after three days at sea and we gave them food and water," said Cpl. David Few, of the US Marines, told the Mindanao Examiner.

One of the fisherman said huge waves battered their boat on Monday and capsized and later broke in two.

"We were drifted into the open sea and for three days we only drank sea water until we saw a big helicopter in the sky. Later, US soldiers on rubber boats arrived and rescued us," Jimmy Degracia said in a separate interview.

"We owe our lives to the US Marines and we will never forget this day," said Andrew Sumandal.

The US soldiers, led by Lt. James Santymire, were part of the HSV Swift a high speed transport vessel, taking part in humanitarian mission in the Philippines. (With a report from Uly Israel)

Kidnapped US Aid Worker, 3 Others Freed In Jolo

A government soldier helps carry the bags Friday 20 Oct 2006 of four kidnapped Filipinos freed by gunmen in Jolo island in the southern Philippines. The four -- engineers Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); and Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo were kidnapped Tuesday after inspecting a road construction project in Parang town. (Mindanao Examiner/Darwin Wee)

JOLO ISLAND(Juan Magtanggol / 20 Oct) – Gunmen on Friday freed all four Filipinos, including a US aid worker, kidnapped on the troubled island of Jolo , officials said.

The victims engineers Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); and Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo were brought to a military hospital in Zamboanga City where doctors examined them.

The four were kidnapped on Tuesday by their own bodyguards for a still unknown reason.Troops tracking down the kidnappers spotted the four victims walking on a village near the boundaries of Parang and Indanan towns, said Colonel Reynaldo Sealana, commander of an army brigade on Jolo island.

"The kidnappers freed the hostages without ransom because of mounting military pressure," Sealana told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the kidnappers freed the hostages before a 24-hour military ultimatum for their release was to end on Friday. He said villagers angered by the incident also threatened to seize the families and relatives of the kidnappers if they don't free the four men.

But the regional police chief Joel Goltiao told reporters that the four had escaped from their captors late Wednesday. "They were able to escape from their captor; that is what they told the police," Goltiao said.

Secy. Jesus Dureza, a Presidential peace adviser, said the four would soon be reunited with their families. "They are free again," he said.

The four men were seized Tuesday by their own bodyguards in Parang town after inspecting a Washington-funded road project near Biid village.

Sealana said soldiers were hunting down the kidnappers on the island. "There is an operation going on. Soldiers are tracking down the kidnappers," he said.

One of the freed victim said the kidnappers demanded at least P30 million ransoms in exchange for their freedom. "The kidnappers asked P20 million from me and my companion and another P10 million from Rivera," Rubio said.

Rivera's group was working on a road construction in Parang town, while Rubio and Bautista, who arrived on Tuesday from Manila, were only inspecting the project. The US Embassy in Manila has condemned the kidnappings.

A contingent of US troops is in Jolo and training local soldiers in anti-terrorism warfare.It was not immediately known whether the bodyguards had links with the Abu Sayyaf or not. The Abu Sayyaf group is active on the island and has kidnapped many Filipino and foreigners in the past in exchange for money. Some of their victims who failed to pay ransom were beheaded. (With reports from Darwin Wee and Uly Israel in Zamboanga City)

Sayyaf Informant Gets Reward Money

A masked civilian holds his P150,000 reward from the Philippine military on Friday 20 Oct 2006 in Zamboanga City. The man helped troops in capturing an Abu Sayyaf militant Isnain Aminul in Basilan island in 2004. Aminul is tagged as one of one of those who kidnapped US missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and California man Guillermo Sobero, in Palawan island in 2001. (Mindanao Examiner/Uly Israel)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 20 Oct) - Southern Philippines military officials rewarded a civilian informant P150,000 for helping soldiers capture an Abu Sayyaf militant implicated in the kidnapping of three US citizens five years ago.

Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Francisco Callero handed the money to the masked informant inside the tightly guarded Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City. "This reward is part of the government program to encourage civilians to help us in the campaign against terrorism," he told the Mindanao Examiner.

The informant, wearing a sweat shirt and a pair of dark sunglasses, did not speak to reporters after receiving the money and was whisked away by soldiers. Callelero said the man led soldiers in capturing Isnain Aminul in Basilan island in 2004.

The military tagged Aminul as one of Abu Sayyaf gunmen who raided and kidnapped Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and California man Guillermo Sobero and 17 Filipino holiday-makers on the posh Dos Palmas resort in the central Philippine island of Palawan in 2001.

Guillermo Sobero was beheaded in 2001 in Basilan island while Martin Burnham was shot dead a year later during a US-led military rescue operation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

The Abu Sayyaf had carried high-profile kidnappings in the past, including a daring raid on the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan in 2000 where it seized 21 Asian and European holiday-makers.

Washington offered as much as $5 million bounty for known Abu Sayyaf leaders, including its chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani. President Gloria Arroyo also put up P100 million rewards for the capture of the group's leaders and their members dead or alive. (With a report from Darwin Wee)

Tokyo Sends Expert To Join International Truce Observers In Strife-Torn Mindanao

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Oct) – A senior Japanese official arrived Thursday in Manila to join a group of international truce observers deployed in the mineral-rich, but dangerous region of Mindanao.

Masafumi Nagaishi, an economic development expert, is heading for Cotabato City in Maguindanao province next week to begin his year-long tour of duty as Japan plays an important role in the peace process in the troubled southern region.

Nagaishi was head of the Disaster Management Team of the Global Environment Division of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo prior to his new assignment.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in Mindanao.

Nagaishi will also assess reconstruction needs and development projects in conflict-affected areas in the south as part of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT).

His work will focus on monitoring the socio-economic aspect of the peace process and work closely with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the rehabilitation and development arm of the MILF.

Japan Foreign Minister Taro Aso who visited the Philippines in July said the commitment is part of Tokyo’s peace effort in Mindanao. Japan is a major aid donor to the Philippines.

Aside from the MILF, the communist New People's Army rebels and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and the Southeast Asia terror network, Jemaah Islamiya, are also actively operating in Mindanao.(Mindanao Examiner)

No Ransom, No Negotiations For Kidnapped US Aid Worker, 3 Others In Jolo Island

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 18 Oct) - The Philippine military on Thursday said it would not negotiate or pay ransom in exchange for the safe release of four people, one of them a US aid worker, kidnapped in the southern island of Jolo, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf militants, blamed by authorities for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive region.

"We are firm in the government's no ransom policy and we don't negotiate with kidnappers," Army Captain Noel Abello, the acting spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Colonel Reynaldo Sealana, commander of an army brigade on Jolo island, said the four were seized Tuesday by their own bodyguards in Parang town after inspecting a Washington-funded road project near Biid village.

Sealana said engineers Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); and Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo were being held on the island, about 950 km south of Manila.

He said the victims were returning to their base in Jolo town when six of their native bodyguards seized them for a still unknown reason.

But the island's governor Benjamin Loong has formed a negotiating team to seek the freedom of the four men.

"They are trying to open up negotiations with the kidnappers. We don't know of any breakthrough as this time as far as the negotiation is concerned," Sealana said in a separate interview.

He said the kidnappers were moving from one hideout to another in the towns of Parang, Indanan and Maimbung to avoid detection by the military.

Leaders of the former rebel group, Moro National Liberation Front, also contacted the military on Thursday to say that they will not provide sanctuary to the kidnappers and have ordered its forces to rescue the four men should they stray in areas where the MNLF is operating, Sealana said.

He said troops are tracking down the kidnappers. "There is no way out of this mess, but for the kidnappers to free all the four hostages without ransom or demands," he said.

Rivera's group was working on a road construction in Parang town, while Rubio and Bautista, who arrived on Tuesday from Manila, were only inspecting the project.

The US Embassy in Manila has condemned the kidnappings. A contingent of US troops is in Jolo and training local soldiers in anti-terrorism warfare.

It was not immediately known whether the bodyguards had links with the Abu Sayyaf or not.

The Abu Sayyaf group is active on the island and has kidnapped many Filipino and foreigners in the past in exchange for money.

Some of their victims who failed to pay ransom were beheaded. (Mindanao Examiner)

4 Fishermen Killed In Clash With Pirates In South RP

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Oct) – Four fishermen were killed by pirates in fierce gun battle at sea on Wednesday off the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, a regional army commander said.

Four pirates were also wounded in the fighting, but escaped even before security forces could arrive, said, Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said.

“We have reports that four fishermen were killed and four pirates are wounded in the clash. Military forces are tracking down the pirates,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

The fighting broke out at Malabago bay off the coastal village of Bibilik in Dumalinao town after a group of pirates attacked eight fishermen at around 5 a.m.

Ferrer said the fishermen were also members of the local Bantay-Dagat, a militia organization protecting the local fishermen against pirate attacks.

He said the military is closely coordinating with local village leaders and fishermen in the campaign against piracy. Many fishermen in the area have been arming themselves because of threats of pirate attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)

Gunmen Kill Cop In Zamboanga City Ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Oct) – Three motorcycle gunmen killed a Muslim policeman in a daring broad daylight attack Wednesday in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga, police said.

The policeman, Zacaria Ahmad, was on his way home when shot by the gunmen at close range.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing and the police said it is still investigating the motive of the attack.

More than 200 people had been killed in a series of gun attacks and summary execution in Zamboanga City the past four years. (Mindanao Examiner)

8 Filipino Journalists Face Arrest For Libel

Reporters Without Borders condemned the "hounding" of eight journalists by José Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has lodged a series of complaints against them for "defamation", still treated as a criminal offence under Philippines law.

The issue on 16 October 2006 of arrest warrants against the eight journalists on the privately-owned daily Malaya was the latest stage in this outrageous harassment, said the worldwide press freedom organisation.

"Reporters Without Borders condemns this hounding by José Miguel Arroyo which is eroding press freedom in the Philippines. Even though the spouse of the head of state has no political mandate, he is nevertheless very influential in the country and several of his friends are very highly-placed officials," it said.

"With 43 complaints laid against the journalists, Jose Miguel Arroyo is seeking a total of 70 million pesos (nearly 1.1 million euros) in damages. Under the pretext of defending his reputation he is casting a long shadow over the investigative and independent press in the country," the organisation said.

On 16 October 2006, a Manila regional judge Silvino Pampilo ordered the arrest of the eight Malaya journalists: publisher Amado Macasaet, editors Enrique Romualdez, Joy de los Reyes, Teresa Molina and Minnie Advincula, journalists Ellen Tordesillas, JP Lopez and Regina Bengco and the editorialist Francisco Tatad.

They each had to put up a surety of 10,000 pesos (160 euros) to avoid being held in custody. In article which appeared in Malaya on 19 May 2004, the editorialist and former senator Francisco Tatad accused Jose Miguel Arroyo of embezzlement during the presidential campaign the same year.

Reporters Without Borders backed a recent appeal by journalists' organisations, including the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), condemning the constant complaints and calling for defamation to be decriminalised.

A defamation suit lodged by the governor of Cavite in Luzon-Sud province, northern Philippines, led to the arrest on 2 October 2006 of Rudy Apollo, editorialist and managing editor of local newspapers Asian Star Journal and Asian Star Balita.

He was released on bail the following day.

Vincent Brossel
Asia - Pacific Desk
Reporters Sans Frontières
5 rue Geoffroy Marie
75009 Paris
33 1 44 83 84 70
33 1 45 23 11 51 (fax)
asia@rsf.orgwww.rsf.org

BFAR Distributes Hybrid Tilapia Breeders In Mindanao

Tilapia

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY (Darwin Wee / 18 Oct) – Some 50,000 fingerlings of hybrid tilapia breeders were distributed Wednesday to Zamboanga City and Ipil town in the neighboring provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur as part of a government program to promote the newest genetically improved species of the fish.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Mindanao said new hybrid called the Brackish-water Enhanced Selected Tilapia or BEST is expected to spawn millions of fingerlings in the next two months.

Virgilio A. Alforque, BFAR regional director, said the dispersal of the new tilapia hybrid breeder is inline with the fisheries program to promote the culturing of tilapia in Zamboanga Peninsula.

He said BFAR also released more than 15,000 fingerlings of the so-called Genetically Enhanced Tilapia or GET in Zamboanga del Sur.

"The tilapia hybrid can grow over a shorter period and attains higher weight as compared with conventional tilapia. It reaches a weight of up to 200 grams in four months," he said.

"This would be followed with a distribution program involving BFAR's outreach stations, local government units, provincial fish nurseries, private tilapia hatchery operators and grow-out fish farmers operating fishponds and integrated fish farms in the following months," he told the Mindanao Examiner.

The dispensing of the breeder is part of the weeklong celebration of this year's Fish Conservation Week, which currently being celebrated nationwide.

The hybrid tilapia breeder which came all the way from the BFAR's National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center in Nueva Ecija province in Luzon is the newest genetically improved species that can survive in water with high saline content Mr. Alforque said.

He said they would also conduct a series of seminars and trainings on the new tilapia breed to fishermen and fishpond operators in the region.Most of the fish ponds, he said, are currently used for extensive culture of milkfish and prawns.

"This only shows that many fisher folks and fishpond growers in this region are still not acquainted in culturing tilapia and its potential benefits," he said.

Tilapia's meat is presently being processed into fillet and being exported to foreign countries. Its skin on the other hand has also gain recognition as one of the best source of raw material for leather products.

Mr. Alforque said that aside from technical trainings, the BFAR will also assist fishermen on how to market the fish. "The promotion of the hybrid tilapia is just one of many government projects which aimed to help augment income of farmers and fishermen and create more jobs in the countryside," Mr. Alforque said.

He said the BFAR is targeting to increase at least 10 percent annually the total production of tilapia in this region in the following years.Zamboanga Peninsula was able to produce more than 1,200 metric tons of tilapia in 2004, a way to far compared to other regions in the country.

Tilapia or St. Peter's fish is a spiny-finned freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae and native chiefly to Africa and the Middle East.They are economically important as food fishes, both in their native regions and elsewhere, where they have been introduced or are grown on fish farms. (Mindanao Examiner)

Peace Talks Maybe Imperiled, Says MILF After Chieftain Is Linked To Mindanao Bombings

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu shows a complaint against North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol who accused the rebel group as behind the recent bombing in Makilala town in North Cotabato province. (Mindanao Examiner/Mark Navales)

MAGUINDANAO (Mark Navales / 18 Oct) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday warned that the peace talks with Manila may be imperiled after police filed criminal charges against its chieftain and two Jemaah Islamiya militants in connection with recent bomb attacks in the restive Mindanao region.

“This is a very serious development. We are now discussing this issue. This could imperil the peace talks,” Mohager Iqbal, the MILF chief peace negotiator, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Police linked Murad Ebrahim, chieftain of the MILF, and some of his commanders in the October 10 bombing in Makilala town in North Cotabato province where six people had died and more than two dozen others injured.

A bomb also exploded at a market in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, killing several people.

Aside from Ebrahim, police also filed criminal charges against Indonesian JI bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek, and a Pakistani national, Usman al Majad; and several MILF rebels.

It was not immediately known what evidence the police have on Ebrahim.

North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol earlier accused a top MILF commander, Basit Usman, as behind the Makilala bombing.

The MILF has previously denied any involvement in the bombings, but police said a former rebel, who surrendered to the government, implicated Ebrahim and the others.

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said he was surprised to learn that Ebrahim was linked to the bombing. “I was really surprised to hear that they included MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim to the bombing. I have not seen any connection of the MILF leader to the bombing.”

“This development is very sensitive because this can have an effect to our peace efforts in Mindanao,” Dureza said, adding, he has to see the charge sheet against Ebrahim.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for a separate Islamic state similar to Iran.

Manila began peace negotiations with the MILF in 2001, but no major accord has been signed by both sides, except for a cease-fire agreement. And many rebels are slowly losing their patience on the five-year old peace talks.

Peace talks ended last month in Malaysia with both sides failing to sign any agreement on the most contentious issue -- ancestral domain -- which refers to the MILF demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland. It is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

Malaysia, an influential member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, is brokering the peace talks.

Ebrahim this month warned that Manila should be blamed if the peace talks fail. He said the talks are now passing “a turbulent area” and that the Filipino government must take responsibility for the breakdown of the negotiations.

“This signals that we are now on the danger zone of the peace talks,” Ebrahim said, referring to the failure of the negotiations on Sept. 9 held in Malaysia, which is brokering the peace talks.

The MILF has rejected Manila's offer for a limited autonomy in the mineral-rich, but restive Mindanao island, home to about 4 million Muslims who want a separate Islamic state.

Iqbal previously said the Philippine government offered them the 5-province Muslim autonomous region and 613 other Muslim villages in exchange for a peace deal.

"They offered the MILF the whole of the Muslim autonomous region and 613 other Muslim villages scattered in Mindanao, but all these are subject to Philippine legislation. The offer is just like a leopard skin and we did not agree with it."

"Peace cannot be unilaterally imposed on the MILF and the Muslim people," Iqbal said.

The Muslim autonomous region is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi -- which are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989.

The MILF previously proposed that the Muslims be given an option to choose in a referendum whether they wanted Mindanao to be an independent state or not.

The ancestral domain covers the five Muslim autonomous provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. And other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. (Mindanao Examiner)

USAID Worker, 3 Others Kidnapped In Jolo Island

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 18 Oct) - A US aid worker and his companions were kidnapped by their bodyguards in the restive island of Jolo in the southern Philippines, where Filipino soldiers are pursuing members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, military officials said on Wednesday.

Colonel Reynaldo Sealana, commander of army forces on the island, said the four were returning to their base in Jolo town when six of their native bodyguards led by a man identified only as Salih, seized them near the village of Biid in Parang town.

He identified the four as Engineer Romeo Rivera, a program manager working for the United States Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM); Engineers Reynaldo Rubio and Larry Bautista, of the Manila-based Terra Zyme Chemicals; and their driver, Isidro Amaramo.

“We have sealed off exits points in Parang town and established road blocks and checkpoints to prevent the escape of the kidnappers,” Sealana told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Jolo. “We still don’t know the motive of the kidnappings, whether it was for ransom or work related.”

He said Rivera’s group was working on a road construction in Parang town, while Rubio and Bautista, who arrived on Tuesday from Manila were only inspecting the project.

A regional military commander Major General Cedo said he ordered troops to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims. “There is a pursuit operation and we are closely coordinating with government officials on the island,” he said in a separate interview in Zamboanga City.

It was not immediately known whether the bodyguards had links with the Abu Sayyaf or not. The group is active on the island and has kidnapped many Filipino and foreigners in the past in exchange for money. Some of their victims who failed to pay ransom were beheaded. (With a report from Juan Magtanggol)

Gunman Kills Soldier In Basilan Attack

BASILAN ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 17 Oct) - An unidentified gunman shot dead a government soldier and wounded another in a daring attack Tuesday at a busy market in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, a regional military commander said.

"We have ordered troops to hunt down those responsible in the killing of the soldier and the wounding of another infantrymen," Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the two soldiers were buying provision when the gunman shot them in front of civilians at around 7.30 a.m. in Tipo-Tipo town. "We still don't know who was behind the attack. There is an investigation going on," he said.

Witnesses told the military that the gunman casually walked away after the shooting.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing, but the town is a known lair of Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The slain soldier and his wounded companion were airlifted to a military hospital in Zamboanga City. (With a report from Uly Israel)

200 Kilos Of Bomb Chemical Seized In Zamboanga City

Scenes at the port of Zamboanga City in Southern RP on Tuesday 17 Oct 2006 where security forces seized from a ferry some 200 kilos of French-made ammonium nitrate, main ingredient in the manufacture of homemade bombs. (Mindanao Examiner)

(Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 17 Oct) - Philippine authorities detained three men linked to the smuggling Tuesday of 200 kilos of high-grade French ammonium nitrate, used by local terrorists in the manufacture of homemade bombs, in the southern port city of Zamboanga, officials said.

Policemen, backed by soldiers, intercepted the shipment from a Filipino ferry, MV Nickel Princely that came from the restive island of Jolo where troops are battling members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

"We have intelligence report about this shipment and security forces had been alerted about the arrival of the ship. We are still investigating whether this cargo is owned by the Abu Sayyaf or Jemaah Islamiya. We also have intelligence reports that a shipment of ammunition is also on its way to Zamboanga from Jolo," Chief Inspector Frank Clavecillas, the port police commander, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Police and military interrogators were questioning the three men, a truck driver and two others who claimed the cargo at the port. "We are still investigating them; about the links to the chemical," said Inspector Abner Santos, of the regional maritime police.

The ammonium nitrate, marked "Made in France," were in eight bags hidden underneath fish crates. Soldiers were spotted searching the ship's cargo bay and had interviewed crew members and several passengers.

It was also the first time that authorities had seized ammonium nitrate that was manufactured in France and smuggled into Jolo. Most of previous shipment of ammonium nitrate were manufactured in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Clavecillas said the amount of ammonium nitrate they seized was enough for several bombs to flatten a small building. "It is enough to make bombs to flatten a small building or bring destruction and kill many innocent people," he said.

Last month, Clavecillas' group also intercepted a ferry loaded with a ton of ammonium nitrate, allegedly owned by the Abu Sayyaf, in the port of Zamboanga . The boat was held just minutes after it arrived from Jolo island. A ferry cargo inspector and four policemen assigned in Jolo were held for questioning in connection with the illegal cargo.

An Abu Sayyaf bomb made from ammonium nitrate was also detonated inside the main police headquarters in Jolo island on Sunday, wounding three people. The military tagged the Abu Sayyaf's urban terrorist group as behind the attack. The group was also implicated in the bombing in March of a Church-run cooperative store that left nine people dead and 20 injured in downtown Jolo.

Three more Abu Sayyaf bombings rocked the southern Philippines last week and killing at least 14 people.

The bombings were believed in retaliation to the arrest of the Indonesian wife and two children of Jemaah Islamiya bomber, Dulmatin, in Jolo island. Istiada Oemar Sovie and her two boys ages 6 and 8 were arrested after Filipino soldiers pursuing Dulmatin raided a terrorist hideout in Patikul town.

Dulmatin and his companion Umar Patek, who is also hiding in Jolo island are both wanted by Indonesia for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people and the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta.

The military said the Abu Sayyaf headed by Khadaffy Janjalani is protecting Dulmatin and Patek in Jolo island. As many as 31 Jemaah Islamiya militants are believed hiding in the southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao where the MILF is actively operating, it said.No group or individual claimed responsibility for all the bombings. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Sayyaf Tagged As Behind Jolo Bombing

Scenes on Jolo island on Monday 17 Oct 2006, a day after suspected Abu Sayyaf militants detonated a powerful homemade bomb inside the provincial police headquarters and wounding three people. (Mindanao Examiner/Juan Magtanggol)

JOLO ISLAND (Juan Magtanggol / 17 Oct) – The Philippine military on Monday tagged the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group as behind the weekend bombing in Jolo island that wounded three people.

“The urban terrorist group of the Abu Sayyaf operating in Jolo could be behind the latest bombing,” said Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, a military spokesman.

He said a motorcycle taxi laden with explosives was detonated near a small hotel called Peace Keeper’s Inn and a military hospital at around 7.10 p.m.

"An explosion occurred at Peace Keeper's Inn and three people are wounded in the blast. Initial investigation disclosed that an IED (improvised explosive device) was placed inside a plastic bag and left at an unattended tricycle parked in the area," Bacarro said.

The hotel is located inside the provincial police headquarters in the village of Asturias in downtown Jolo. The deputy governor of Jolo island, Lady Ann Sahidula, said there were no reports of casualties. "There was a blast near the hotel's beauty parlor.

Authorities are still investigating the motive of the blast," she said in a separate interview.The Abu Sayyaf was also tagged as behind the bombing in March of a Church-run cooperative store that left nine people dead and 20 injured in downtown Jolo.

Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, on Monday inspected the bomb site and spoke to his commanders, ordering them to intensify the hunt for the Abu Sayyaf and the two JI bombers.

He also spoke to soldiers in the towns of Indanan and Patikul, urging them to get Dulmatin and Patek and Janjalani dead or alive.“Don’t give them any chance. Hit them hard and finish them off,” he said.

Troops on Sunday also disarmed two homemade bombs, assembled from mortar rockets, left at a market in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, days after a spate of bombings blamed on the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya terror network killed at least 14 people in the restive region.

The bomb, concealed in a backpack, was discovered by patrolling soldiers and militias at around 3 a.m. at the gate of the Agora market in downtown Pagadian, according to Bacarro.

Pagadian, a bustling city and center of trade and commerce in Western Mindanao, was bombed in the past and authorities had linked the Abu Sayyaf and radical members of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the attacks.

But intelligence officials said they see the signature of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya in the foiled bombing. "There is a signature and it points to the Abu Sayyaf and the JI. We can't say at this time whether the MILF was a part of this attempt to blow up the market," one army intelligence officer.

The bombings last week in the southern region were believed in retaliation to the arrest of the Indonesian wife and two children of Jemaah Islamiya bomber, Dulmatin, in Jolo island.

Istiada Oemar Sovie and her two boys ages 6 and 8 were arrested after Filipino soldiers pursuing Dulmatin raided a terrorist hideout in Patikul town.Dulmatin and his companion Umar Patek, who is also hiding in Jolo island are both wanted by Indonesia for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people and the 2003 JW Mariot hotel bombing in Jakarta.

A homemade bomb exploded Oct. 11 in Cotabato City, the 3rd in less than 24 hours in the restive Central Mindanao region, where two bombs killed at least 14 people at a market in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and in the busy business center of Makilala town in North Cotabato province.

The governor of North Cotabato, Emmanuel Pinol, linked an MILF leader -- Basit Usman -- to the attack in Makilala town, but the rebel group strongly denied the accusation. "We have nothing to do with the bombings.

The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Philippine government and we are sincere with the talks. There is a cease-fire agreement and the MILF is not part in any of these terrorist activities," a rebel spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said.

The military said the Abu Sayyaf headed by Khadaffy Janjalani is protecting Dulmatin and Patek in Jolo island. As many as 31 Jemaah Islamiya militants are believed hiding in the southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao where the MILF is actively operating, it said.No group or individual claimed responsibility for all the bombings. (Mindanao Examiner)

3 Wounded In Jolo Island Bombing

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Soldiers Foil New Bomb Attack In Southern RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 15 Oct) - Security forces disarmed Sunday two homemade bombs planted at a market in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, days after a spate of bombings blamed on the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya terror network, killed at least 14 people in the restive region.

A Philippine military spokesman, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the bomb was discovered by patrolling soldiers and militias at around 3 a.m. at the gate of the Agora market in downtown Pagadian. The bomb, he said, was disarmed by soldiers.

He did not say who were behind the failed bombing, but soldiers recovered two bombs assembled from a 40mm and 60mm mortars.

"There is an investigation going on and we still don't know who was behind this foiled attempt to bomb the market," Bacarro told the Mindanao Examiner.

Pagadian, a bustling city and center of trade and commerce in Western Mindanao, was bombed in the past and authorities had linked the Abu Sayyaf and radical members of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the attacks.

But intelligence officials said they see the signature of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya in the foiled bombing. "There is a signature and it points to the Abu Sayyaf and the JI. We can't say at this time whether the MILF was a part of this attempt to blow up the market," one army intelligence officer.

The bombings last week in the southern region were believed in retaliation to the arrest of the Indonesian wife and two children of Jemaah Islamiya bomber, Dulmatin, in Jolo island. Istiada Oemar Sovie and her two boys ages 6 and 8 were arrested after Filipino soldiers pursuing Dulmatin raided a terrorist hideout in Patikul town.

Army and police commanders in Zamboanga del Sur province would not talk to reporters and ignored phone calls.

Dulmatin and his companion Umar Patek, who is also hiding in Jolo island are both wanted by Indonesia for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people and the 2003 JW Mariot hotel bombing in Jakarta.

A homemade bomb exploded Oct. 11 in Cotabato City, the 3rd in less than 24 hours in the restive Central Mindanao region, where two bombs killed at least 14 people at a market in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and in the busy business center of Makilala town in North Cotabato province.

The governor of North Cotabato, Emmanuel Pinol, linked an MILF leader -- Basit Usman -- to the attack in Makilala town, but the rebel group strongly denied the accusation.

"We have nothing to do with the bombings. The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Philippine government and we are sincere with the talks. There is a cease-fire agreement and the MILF is not part in any of these terrorist activities," a rebel spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said.

The military said the Abu Sayyaf headed by Khadaffy Janjalani is protecting Dulmatin and Patek in Jolo island. As many as 31 Jemaah Islamiya militants are believed hiding in the southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao where the MILF is actively operating, it said.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for all the bombings. (Mindanao Examiner)