Sayyaf wants troops to leave parts of Sulu'

Sen. Richard Gordon said Abu Sayyaf bandits are demanding a military pullout in some parts of Sulu before they start talks on the fate of the two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers who remain in captivity.

Gordon, who is also chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, said he spoke to Albader Parad after the release of ICRC staffer Mary Jean Lacaba, and the kidnappers were demanding that soldiers leave the town of Parang and the barangays of Pasil, Cagay and Panabuan in the municipality of Indanan.

He said he already informed Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the demand, but the latter appeared “not interested.”

“I’ve been trying to find a common ground that can open the negotiations between the government and them (Abu Sayyaf) for the release of our two workers. That was what they were asking,” he said.

Parad reportedly threatened anew to behead the two hostages but Gordon appealed to him not to do so.

“I’m appealing to them to spare the lives of the hostages. It is not acceptable in the Muslim community and the entire world. It is unjust, inhuman and barbaric,” he said.

Gordon also sought the restoration of mobile phone signals in Sulu for the “easier process of dealing” with the Abu Sayyaf regarding the release of the ICRC staff.

“We are dealing with the dark. I am a very straightforward person. They (ICRC workers) can’t call and we can’t even call them. So I suggest that the lines of communication in Indanan, Sulu be restored immediately,” he added.

Communication lines were cut by the military in Sulu when the province was placed under a state of emergency last April 1.

Gordon also maintained that Sulu Vice. Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla should be commended and not condemned for risking her life for the hostages, amid insinuations that the official erred in going to the bandits’ lair.

Both Gordon and Sahidulla have recognized the need for the government to form a committee that would negotiate the release Italian Eugenio Vagni and Swiss Andreas Notter.

Echoing the sentiment of Gordon, Sen. Loren Legarda maintained that the government must not close the door to talking with the bandits for the release of the two other hostages.

“While the government has to be firm in dealing with the kidnappers, it must not close its door on a negotiated release of the other captives. We must avoid further bloodshed in working for the release of the two foreigners,” Legarda said.

Show of force

Puno, on the other hand, said there are parallel efforts being conducted by the authorities to determine and possibly identify the bandits’ source of firepower and other forms of support.

On Tuesday, the heavily armed kidnappers menacingly lined up their hostages before a camera at their jungle lair in Sulu, threatening to behead one of their captives if their demand for a complete military pullout in several villages of Indanan and Parang towns was not met.

But what caught the attention of the military, aside from the threat, were the brand-new assault rifles and new uniforms the rebels were sporting.

“Almost everyone was carrying M203. The firearms and uniforms were brand new, even better than the uniforms of the soldiers on the ground,” observed a security official.

However, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the video was taken for propaganda purposes.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said the bandits were just trying to make a statement, which is expected.

Asked where the guns could have come from, Puno said high-powered firearms continue to proliferate in Sulu.

He said that with the province now under a state of emergency, anybody found involved in the illegal gun trade would be arrested, charged and prosecuted.

Puno announced last Friday that several local officials and policemen have been invited for questioning to determine their possible collusion with the bandits.

‘All-out development’

Meanwhile, Malacañang has vowed to intensify the government’s efforts toward developing Mindanao, particularly the areas where terrorism and insurgency prevail while maintaining the security forces’ operations against these activities.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview with radio station dzRB, admitted that the lack of development in some areas could be the cause of insurgency, so the government has to continue working to bring resources into these areas.

The kidnapping of the three Red Cross workers by the Abu Sayyaf has led to suspicions that some local government officials and even policemen were coddling the kidnappers as they try to evade the security forces.

Terrorism and insurgency have long been linked to poverty so these problems have to be addressed together in order to bring about positive results.

“Sometimes it’s a chicken and egg situation. Peace and order is a necessary condition for development, while lack of development often breeds breakdown of peace and order,” Remonde said.

“But the government just has to continue working for peace and working for development,” he added.

Remonde said military operations against the terrorists and insurgents would continue even while the government is bringing development to the region.

He said the local crisis management committee headed by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan would decide on what action to take against the kidnappers once the two remaining hostages are released.

He said “all-out development” could also be implemented in place of an all-out war in Sulu.

“We should remember that terrorism is a global scourge that has caused great pain and suffering and many casualties around the world. That is why terrorism must be rooted out at its source,” he added.

Sayyaf wants troops to leave parts of Sulu’

Related posts:

1. Red Cross rejects $5-million Sayyaf ransom demand
2. Marines clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits
3. Abu Sayyaf wants to talk with DILG, DND chiefs – Sulu gov
4. State of emergency in Sulu; attack looms
5. Andreas Notter
6. Mary Jean Lacaba
7. Gen. Sabban goes on leave
8. Gordon wants proof of life from Abu Sayyaf kidnappers
9. Sayyaf rejects troop pullout; fate of ICRC hostages hangs
10. ICRC doing ‘initiatives’ for seized workers – exec

Tags: abu sayyaf, Loren Legarda, Mary Jean Lacaba, Mindanao, Richard Gordon