Retired general disputes Querubin over test mission controversy

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 28): Retired general disputes Querubin over test mission controversy


A retired military officer who led the creation of the first Marines Reconnaissance (Recon) Battalion in 1995 disputed statements by a fellow retired officer that Marines on test mission are not supposed to engage in battle.

“The mission of Force Recon Battalion is special operations. We do the difficult work in the Armed Forces. Recon is just one of the aspects of our mission and capabilities. So when you say they are not supposed to engage with the enemy is not correct,” retired Major General Natalio Ecarma III told INQUIRER.net on Tuesday.

The highly decorated retired Marine general, who also underwent specialized trainings under the Army’s elite units -the Special Forces and Scout Rangers, as well as US Scout Ranger and US Marines Recon courses – led the formulation of the Marines Recon training course.

Ecarma was then a junior officer in 1995 when he was tasked to create the Force Recon Battalion, which included the formulation of the training course for the special operations unit.

“The doctrine used in our Marine Recon was based on the concept of our special operations, and the test mission was organized from the Army’s Scout Rangers which we integrated there,” he said.

He said the Recon is the Marines counterpart of Army’s elite units Special Forces and Scout Rangers, which demands the “highest standard of soldiery.”

Retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin earlier said that Marines on test mission should not engage in battle, and is only limited to gathering data.

Ecarma is Querubin’s junior at the Philippine Military Academy, where they both attended. The former is from PMA Class 1981, while the latter is from PMA Class 1979.

But Ecarma said students undergoing specialized courses are sent on a test mission “in order to confirm whether they learned or not.”

A Marines Recon course usually lasts for about six months, and a test mission is conducted on the final months. The test mission is part of the training and the students will not finish the course unless they are engaged in an actual encounter.

If you follow the procedures, then there are minimized casualties, Ecarma said.

He added that he sees no need to review the doctrine of the Marines Recon training course, but rather the implementation of the procedures must be examined.

“I believe the doctrine is correct, the concept is sound but the problem is the implementation on the ground,” Ecarma said, but clarified that he was not referring to the Sulu incident, as the investigation is still ongoing.

The Sulu encounter over the weekend left six soldiers dead, including a junior officer Second Lieutenant Alfredo Lorin VI, in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf group. The other fatalities were Privates First Class and a Sergeant.  They were part of the Force Recon Class 18 as stated on a report by the Western Mindanao Command.

The soldiers were tasked to rescue kidnap victim Casilda Villarasa, wife of Sergeant Faustino Villarasa.

“Karamihan sa Recon dapat bata..Sa hirap ng mission, tsaka yung tinatawag ng operational tempo. Ang kelangan dyan malalakas..matitigas,” Ecarma said when asked whether he found the fatalities too young to die in battle.

(Recon is composed mostly of young Marines because of its arduous mission and operational tempo. Strong and tough men are needed here.)

“Age is not actually an advantage when physical fitness is concerned…..young fighters constitute Recon,” he said.

Ecarma said that Marine operations are usually successful, but they only get public exposure when they incur casualties.

“The Recon has many successful missions that are not known to public, but when we get casualties that’s when we get exposure,” he said.

He cited the military’s victory over Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani as one of its high-profile successes.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin also defended the deployment of Marines’ Recon students in Sulu on a test mission, saying it was part of their test in the special operations course.

“Before a student graduates from the course, they undergo a test mission to confirm if they have learned anything or not. It is during an encounter when it is verified if they learned something. Sometimes we incur casualty, sometimes we emerge as very victorious without any casualty,” he told in a radio interview.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/416621/retired-general-disputes-querubin-over-test-mission-controversy

Brigada Eskwela: A way to sustain peace

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Brigada Eskwela: A way to sustain peace

The Brigada Eskwela program may be viewed as a way to sustain peace in communities.

“What we are doing right now is sustaining the gains of our peace and development programs,” 701st Infantry Brigade (Inf. Bde.) commander Col. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said. “It’s part of our commitment to better serve our communities and to contribute our share of providing an environment conducive to education and learning.”

Accomplishment report of the 701st Inf. Bde. showed that the Philippine Army command based in Davao Oriental reached out to a large number of public schools during Brigada Eskwela.

The nationwide project is a community activity which aims to spruce up public school classrooms before the opening of classes.

Its 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) under the command of Lt. Col. Krishnamurti A. Mortela covered the deployment of personnel carrying the task to assist parents, teachers and school administrators do the clean-up of public schools in District I at the east coast areas of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay and Tarragona.

Its 28th IB under Lt. Col. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr. handled the sending out of personnel to 2nd District areas of Banay-Banay, Lupon, San Isidro, Gov. Generoso while its brigade-based personnel focused assistance to schools in Mati City.

The three groups all started off participating the Brigada on May 20 and went on to May 23, rendering services such as classroom painting, grass cutting, renovating of fence, repairing classrooms, constructing a school building aside from cleaning classrooms and school grounds.

Based in the municipality of Baganga, the 67th IB personnel went their way to Brgy Aliwagwag, Cateel, Davao Oriental to assist the construction of a school building in the area.

They also went to Simulao Elem School, Brgy Simulao in Boston;Caraga National High School; Jovellar Elementary School Brgy Jovellar in Tarragona; in Caatihan Elementary and High schools; and in Pamian Elementary School.

In its base town Caraga, the 67th IB extended their Brigada Eskwela services in Baculin Elementary School, Salingcomot Elementary School, Bobonao Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the 28th IB went on to serve BatoBato Central Elementary School, Dugmanon Elementary School, Comara T Manuel Central Elem School II, New Visayas Elem School, Tiombokan Primary School.

Some of the public schools where they reached in the municipality of Banay-Banay were Calubihan Elem School, BanayBanay Elementary and National High School, Puntalinao National High School, Causwagan Elem School.

Other Brigada-served areas in the municipality of Lupon were Sitio Banhawan, Brgy Marayag; Calasagan Elem School, Brgy San Isidro; Calasagan Elem School Prk Upper Calasagan; Cabadiangan, Elementary School. They also served Brgy Manikling and Brgy. Talisay in San Isidro.

Meanwhile the brigade-based members of the 701st staff were sent out to Cabubuanan Elementary School, Brgy Don Martin Marundan, Mati City, Tagbinunga Elementary School, Brgy Tagbinunga also in Mati City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=528694

(Update) Police and military operatives arrest 4 KFRG members in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): (Update) Police and military operatives arrest 4 KFRG members in Zamboanga City

Combined police and military intelligence operatives have arrested four suspected kidnappers inside a local shopping mall believed to be scouting for a would-be victim, officials disclosed Tuesday.

Arrested were Putot Jakaria alias Ogis Jakaria, Sadat Amilhamja, Allan Nader, and Najal Hail, according to Zamboanga City police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo.

De Ocampo said the suspects were arrested around 4:30 p.m. Monday at a food court in one of the shopping malls in downtown Zamboanga City.

De Ocampo said Jakaria was positively identified as a member of the kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG), citing the latter has standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping with serious illegal detention and slight illegal detention with robbery.

The warrant of arrest against Jakaria was penned by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 24 Judge Reuben Maraon with a recommended bail of P200,000, De Ocampo said.

They were believed to be scouting would-be victim, De Ocampo said.

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) commander Col. Andrelino Colina disclosed that Jakaria was allegedly involved in three kidnapping incidents wherein two of the victims were foreign nationals.

Colina said Jakaria was involved in the kidnapping of Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott, and Zamboangueña nurse Maricris Cuartocruz.

Bossi of the Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere (PIME) was kidnapped in June 2007 in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay and was freed the following month of the same year.

Sinnott of the Society of Saint Columban was kidnapped in October of 2009 in Pagadian City. He was freed a month later of the same year.

Cuartocruz was seized in December 2010 from her residence in Barangay Manicahan, this city, and was freed in February of 2011.

Meanwhile, De Ocampo said Jakaria’s companions were placed under investigation to determine whether or not they have participation in previous incidents of kidnappings.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528618

Troops counter NPA recruitment in 2 South Cotabato towns

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Troops counter NPA recruitment in 2 South Cotabato towns

Government troops have intensified their “peace and development” initiatives in the hinterland villages of T’boli and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato in a bid to counter the reported recruitment activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.

1Lt. Bethuel Barber, civil-military operations chief of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday they recently monitored fresh movements of suspected NPA rebels under the Front 73 in some communities in T’boli and Lake Sebu towns to specifically recruit new members.

“This is a very small (NPA) unit and it’s been recruiting new members to increase its number,” he said in a radio interview.

The official said the rebels have been reportedly visiting T’boli tribal communities and “dubiously” promising residents of some benefits in exchange for joining their cause.

Last year, 18 alleged NPA rebels operating in the towns of Lake Sebu, Surallan and T’boli surrendered to the 27th IB after some negotiations facilitated by local officials and some of their comrades.

The rebel returnees, some of whom were minors, claimed that they were lured into joining the rebel movement due to promises of monetary benefits and other incentives from their recruiters and NPA leaders.

The promised benefits, which supposedly never came, include regular food allowance of a sack of rice every month for their families and a monthly “salary” of P5,000.

The returnees disclosed such information during a profiling conducted by the South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office as a pre-requisite for their enlistment into the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

To counter the NPA’s recruitment activities, Barber said they have launched community outreach programs in the area in coordination with the local government units.

He said these initiatives, which were part of its peace and development framework, includes of medical and dental outreach activities as well as providing assistance to local communities and residents in availing some basic services of the government.

Barber said they were also conducting information and education campaigns among residents regarding the NPA activities.

The official said their troops are also assisting local communities in fortifying their defenses against possible intrusions by criminals and other armed elements.

“Our peace and development outreach activities were proven to be very effective in terms of countering NPA activities in our remote areas,” he said.

Earlier this month, officials of the 27th IB said it has monitored movements by NPA units within the boundary areas of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Tboli and Surallah in South Cotabato; Sarangani and South Cotabato boundary; and, Koronadal City and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat boundary.

Major Gerald Monfort, 27th IB executive officer, said a big group of NPA rebels was confirmed to have been moving towards the boundary of Koronadal City and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat prior to the last May 13 elections.

He said the group, which was reportedly advancing towards Koronadal City, could have planned to stage attacks to disrupt the conduct of the previous polls in the area.

The official said the rebels were allegedly composed of combined units under the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Revolutionary Committee and with “heavily-armed” members coming from as far as Matanao in Davao del Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528640

Palawan police chief calls on residents, LGU officials to help allay CPP-NPA presence

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Palawan police chief calls on residents, LGU officials to help allay CPP-NPA presence

Provincial Police Office (PPO) chief Senior Superintendent Atanacio Macalan Jr. is calling on residents and local government unit (LGU) officials in Palawan to help allay the presence of a small band of armed members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the province’s continued development.

In a recent interview with Macalan Jr., he told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that in Palawan, peace and order largely depends on the the support of the people and the local government officials.

He said that the barangay visitation that the provincial police started doing since he took over the leadership of their headquarters has mostly help in encouraging the people not to be scared to report presence of armed CPP-NPA members, who can “certainly disturb” Palawan’s tranquil community.

On LGU officials, Macalan Jr. said they can help by providing sufficient alternative livelihood activities to residents of their municipalities to avert them from accepting the recruitment of the leftist movement.

He said that most of the time, it is the absence of adequate livelihood activities that frustrates people in far-flung areas, and enough to push them to join the leftist movement which can be nothing but bad where peace and security is concerned.

With new leaders to occupy municipal government offices in July, Macalan Jr. is positive that with proper communication and coordination, the support of LGU officials in the provision of satisfactory livelihood activities is not far from being attained.

Macalan Jr. furthered that the current concentration of the higher leadership command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Gen. Alan Purisima is to persuade members of the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms and return to government fold that can support them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=528703

Marines monitoring situation off Ayungin Shoal in good spirits

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Marines monitoring situation off Ayungin Shoal in good spirits

Despite the discomfort and relative isolation of their post, Marines monitoring the situation off Ayungin Shoal remain in good spirits, Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues Col. Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday.

"They (Marine contingent) are not demoralized because they can always count on us to resupply then whenever they need it," he added.

The former are based on the BRP Sierra Madre, a landing ship tank, which ran aground off Ayungin Shoal some years back.

Arevalo also said no additional Chinese ships have been sighted except for the two CMS (China Maritime Surveillance) vessels which arrived near Ayungin Shoal last weekend.

The fishing fleet, earlier estimated at three large steel-hulled ships and 10 wooden dinghies, have left the area also during the weekend.

The PN spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues added the Marines are not threatened by the presence of the Chinese ships as the task of monitoring the latter is routine for these soldiers.

Arevalo also said the PN has yet to receive complaints from Marines there as they are in constant communication with the latter.

"But we hope that the protest we filed at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (for repeated Chinese incursions in Philippine maritime territory) will be resolved immediately," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528593

Number of cops killed in Cagayan ambush rise to 9

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Number of cops killed in Cagayan ambush rise to 9

Nine policemen have been killed in the ambush Monday morning in Allapacan, Cagayan as one of the eight wounded Special Action Force (SAF) members died while being transferred from the Ballesteros District Hospital in Ballesteros, Cagayan to Cagayan Valley Medical Center in this city.

Dr. Nicasio Galano Jr., Ballesteros District Hospital chief, confirmed the death of Police Officer 2 Joefrey Dalwidaw due to shrapnel wounds he obtained in the landmine explosion.

Killed on the spot in the rebel attack were 21st Philippine National Police-SAF Cagayan team leader PO3 Vladimir Tabajero, PO2 Dexter Cubilla, PO1 Erick Brioso, PO2 Angelbert Mateo, PO2 Elmark Rodney Pinated, PO1 Jerome Sanchez, PO2 Jonnel Bowat and PO2 Ronald Castulo (who died while being brought to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center here).

Those wounded were PO2 Ronald Gomez, PO1 Ephraim G. Dolete, PO2 Geopano G. Adangui, PO1 Ryan B. Asunio, PO2 Ricky Monay, PO2 Jeofrey Liagao Amiligan and PO2 Jeofrey Elasco.

The victims were on their way to the Allacapan police station to undergo physical fitness examination, when they were attacked by about 30 suspected New People’s Army rebels under the Danilo Ben Front operating in northern Cagayan.

The Cagayan Valley Police have condemned the killing of the lawmen.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528616

Aquino visits wake of Marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Aquino visits wake of Marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group

President Benigno S. Aquino III visited the wake Tuesday of the seven Marines who died in Sulu on Saturday following an encounter with the members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).



During his visit at the Philippine Marines Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, the President also extended financial assistance to the families of the soldiers by handing them P250,000 check each.

The Armed Forces said soldiers from the 2nd Marine Brigade, while pursuing Abu Sayyaf group believed to be holding captive the wife of a marine soldier, encountered a large group of its members at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Tugay, Patikul town in Sulu.

Ensuing gun-fight lasted more than one hour killing seven Marine soldiers, including a lieutenant and nine Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

Nine marines and 10 Abu Sayyaf members were also wounded.

The AFP said the terrorists fled after the fighting and the military has launched a pursuit operation against the group.

The military reported that helicopters were dispatched to evacuate the wounded soldiers who were brought to the trauma hospital in Jolo, Sulu.

The soldiers involved in the incident were on “route security” when the encounter occurred contrary to police initial report saying they were ambushed.

The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990s, has carried out a number of high-profile attacks including kidnapping particularly of foreign nationals. The group is also involved in bombing attacks.

The military estimates Abu Sayyaf’s membership at around 300, mostly based in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=528723

Gazmin justifies test mission of slain soldiers

From ABS-CBN (May 28): Gazmin justifies test mission of slain soldiers

 

MANILA - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin justifies the deployment of the 7 slain Marines who were on a test mission when they were killed by the Abu Sayyaf.

Gazmin said the deployment of the students from the Marine Force Reconnaissance Class for a test mission was needed to hone their skills in the field.

He adds this is not the first time that the military sustained casualties during a test mission.

The students were deployed to conduct tracking operations against an Abu Sayyaf Group involved in recent kidnapping incidents.

Former Marine colonel Ariel Querubin said the Marine recon students should not have been sent to engage the enemy.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/05/28/13/gazmin-justifies-test-mission-slain-soldiers

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits, companions nabbed in Zambo City, Basilan

From GMA News (May 28): 2 Abu Sayyaf bandits, companions nabbed in Zambo City, Basilan

Government forces have arrested two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, including one allegedly involved in the abduction of two foreign priests years ago, in two separate occassions in Mindanao, a police official said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, the police director in Zamboanga City, said Muktar Adil Amin alias Putot Jakaria was arrested at Mindpro City Mall on La Purisima Street in Zamboanga City.

Amin has standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in 2007 and Irish priest Michael Sinnott in 2009 .

Amin's three companions, Sadat Amilhamja, Allan Nader and Najal Hail, were also arrested by the police. The police will check if they have records for criminal acts.

Meanwhile, another suspected Abu Sayyaf bandit, Abu Arsad alias Musad Abdurasad, was arrested in Lantawan town in Basilan, according to Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan provincial police director.

Arsad has standing warrants of arrests for nine counts of murder in Albarka, Basilan, as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of a coconut farmer from Golden Harvest plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, in 2001.

Amin and his companions were temporarily detained at Zamboanga City Police Office while Arsad in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional office in Zamboanga City.

Just two days earlier, on Saturday, seven Philippine Marines were killed in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul town in Sulu. Officials are still trying to determine if the incident was an "operational miscalculation" or a close encounter.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/310401/news/nation/2-abu-sayyaf-bandits-companions-nabbed-in-zambo-city-basilan

MILF: Moro woman educator passes away; MILF extends condolence

Posted to the MILF Website (May 27): Moro woman educator passes away; MILF extends condolence

Dr. Hadja Sittie Nurlaila Emily M. Marohombsar, a very prominent Muslim educator and scion of one of the largest traditional and political Moro clans in Lanao, succumbed to heart failure last Friday afternoon, May 24, 2013, at the Capitol University Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

She was laid to rest according to Islamic rites in her hometown in the Municipality of Ganassi, Lanao del Sur last Saturday, May 25.

Dr. Marohombsar was a distinguished alumnus of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was the first among the very few Muslim Moro women then who studied at the PWU in the early 50s. She pursued her post-graduate studies at the Ateneo de Manila, the University of Hawaii and Harvard University in the US.

She was also a pioneering faculty member of the Mindanao State University (MSU) when the latter was established in 1962.

Many of the well-known Moro professionals, who have succeeded in their respective fields of endeavor, including politics, were her students at one time or another.

She was an icon to many Muslims, both women and men, in the Lanao provinces who are in the field of education.

She became President of the MSU in 1992 up to about 1997 and carried the distinction of being the first Muslim woman to be ever appointed by government to that position up till now.

Meanwhile, Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, who knew late educator-negotiator because she was part of the government peace panel, sent condolence to the family and relatives for her passing away.

“I know her very well and she is a very amiable personality and so easy to9 deal with her,” Iqbal told Luwaran in an interview.

“We missed another good person and may Allah bless her soul,” Iqbal added.
From 1998 to 2003, she became a member of the Peace Negotiating Panel of the Philippine government negotiating with the MILF.

Just before the presidential elections of 2004, Dr. Marohombsar, together with another female member of the panel, resigned from the GPH Peace Panel after reportedly being disillusioned with the “insincere” way the then regime of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was handling the negotiations with the MILF.

It is likewise worth mentioning that Dr. Marohombsar is the maternal aunt (younger sister of his late mother) of Robert Maulana M. Alonto, a senior member of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel and concurrently a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC). He and Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga (also a member of the MILF Peace Panel) were once her students during their university years.

Despite having served as negotiator of the government for a period of time, the MILF has high regards for Dr. Marohombsar, whose many relatives are also active members of the MILF and the MNLF.

http://www.luwaran.com/

MILF: MILF appoints new ceasefire committee chairman from Basilan

From the MILF Website (May 28): MILF appoints new ceasefire committee chairman from Basilan



The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appointed a new chairman hailing from the Province of Basilan for its Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the main ceasefire pillar for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF.
  

Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, issued the appointment for Mr. Abbas Salung, who has been a member of the MILF CCCH since 2007.

Iqbal said Salung was appointed as Acting Chairman of the MILF CCCH effective May 1, 2013 to assume the position vacated by former MILF CCCH Chairman Said Shiek following his appointment as a Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Salung is the first ever Chairman of the MILF CCCH from the Province of Basilan.
“The MILF has full trust and confidence with Brother Salung. Salung has proven his commitment, competence and credibility to the cause of the Bangsamoro and the MILF for right to self – determination and the peace process,” Iqbal said.

“We are confident that he can perform well and his appointment is a positive development in our vision – mission for the Bangsamoro and Muslim ummanh as well as to the GPH – MILF Peace Process,” he said.

The MILF CCCH is the main body that works closely with the GPH CCCH and the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) in ensuring the protection of the ceasefire and in creating an enabling environment for the peace process and the peace negotiations.

Salung together with the incumbent Head of Secretariat of the MILF CCCH had undergone a two-weeks Course on the United Nations Framework on Ceasefire Monitoring and Mediation in Oslo, Norway last March 2013, a training that will be very useful for his duties and functions with the CCCH.

http://www.luwaran.com/

5 suspected Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Zamboanga, Basilan

From the Sun Star (May 28): 5 suspected Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Zamboanga, Basilan

Five suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group were arrested by government security forces in Zamboanga and Basilan on Tuesday.

Arrested at a shopping mall in Zamboanga City were Muktar Adil Ahmin, Nader Sajidol Alan, Nadjal Esmola Jael and Shadat Amilhamja.

Another suspected bandit identified as Arsad Musad Abdurasad was caught Barangay Lawi-Lawi in Lantawan, Basilan, by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of investigation.

Ahmin, alias Ogis Jakaria, was involved in the abduction of Italian missionaries Fr. Giancarlo Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay in 2007 and Fr. Michael Sinnott in Pagadian City in 2009.

Ahmin was also involved in the abduction of Maricris Cuartocruz, a nurse, in Zamboanga City in 2010.

Colonel Andrelino Colina, Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) commander, said Ahmin is facing abduction-related charges with serious illegal detention at a local court in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Abdurasad, on the other hand, is facing nine counts of murder and abduction cases with serious illegal detention.

Basilan is a stronghold of the Al-Qaida-linked bandits notorious for beheading and kidnapping of foreign tourist and some locals.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/05/28/5-suspected-abu-sayyaf-members-arrested-zamboanga-basilan-284567

Muslim educator

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28): Muslim educator

COTABATO CITY – Thousands of people are mourning the death of Mindanao-based Muslim lady educator Dr. Hadja Sittie Nurlayla Emily M. Marohombsar, who is adored as an “icon” of peace building, good governance, and quality education for the Bangsamoro.

Dr. Marohombsar, 77, succumbed to heart failure last Friday afternoon at the Capitol University Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, according to Robert Maulana Marohombsar-Alonto, her nephew, and a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panelist who stayed beside his aunt up to the last breath.

She was laid to rest the following day under Islamic rites in Ganassi, Lanao del Sur, her rugged hometown where she was born on September 7, 1935.

The MILF leadership led the mourners, posting in its official Web site – luwaran.com – a message of condolence and a tribute to Dr. Marohombsar, the first woman state peace panelist it had dealt with during the stormy days of the MILF-government peace talks.

Before the burial, relatives brought her remains first to the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus in Marawi City where she had served as first lady Muslim president (1993-1998).

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=14126&sid=1&subid=5#.UaSD0o7D9jo

Armed men takes mine employees at Tawi-tawi sea

From the Manila Bulletin (May 28): Armed men takes mine employees at Tawi-tawi sea

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Unidentified armed men snatched at mid sea three mining firm employees recently while the trio were en-route from Languyan town proper to Tumbagaan island, where the mining firm is located.

But Governor Sadikul Sahali was quick to dismiss it as kidnapping, saying it is more like "harassment" done by the business rival of the mining firm.

He said the Provincial Police Office (PPO) has reported to him that  three employees of SR Mining Company  based in Tumbagaan were forcibly taken by armed men at mid sea between Languyan and Tumbagaan island. Based on the  police report, the victims are boat operator Mar Hadjula, cook Marcial España, and Eddie Reubal.

The police also reported to Sahali that Hadjula was rescued by fishermen last Saturday, near Sulare island and had him brought to Siasi Municipal Police Station that later turned him over to Languyan police.

The governor here said España and Reubal remain missing.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=14256&sid=1&subid=5#.UaSDRI7D9jo