DND chief, senator seek probe of Sulu exec's role in ICRC kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines – Despite her efforts in resolving the hostage crisis in Sulu, Vice Governor Nur-Ana "Lady Ann" Sahidulla now finds herself in hot water: the chief of the Philippine defense department and a senator want her probed for her "role" in the kidnapping of three Red Cross workers in January. In an interview, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said he has requested the Department of Justice to investigate Sahidulla over her admission that she gave P50,000 to the Abu Sayyaf bandits following the release of Italian Eugenio Vagni last Sunday. "I am requesting the Justice department to investigate Sahidulla because it came out from her mouth that she gave P50,000 in board and lodging, or whatever you call it, to the Abu Sayyaf bandits," Teodoro told reporters. "The vice governor is a public official and to aid or, and abet...terrorists requires at the least an explanation," he added. At the weekly Senate news forum, meanwhile, Senator Rodolfo Biazon called on the government to look deeper into Sahidulla's role in the kidnapping incident. "The role of vice Governor Sahidulla in the kidnapping of three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers must be looked into," Biazon said. "The problem is every time there is negotiation for the release of the ICRC hostages this vice governor always played a role." Biazon noted that as a public official, Sahidulla is supposed to help in stamping out kidnapping activities by the Abu Sayyaf. "I’m also asking that the government continue to conduct an investigation on those who supported and provided a haven to Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)." Reached for comments, Sahidulla said she was ready to face any probe on the matter. "Bahala na ang Diyos. Kung yun ang gusto nila, hindi ako natatakot. Diyos lang ang kinatatakutan ko. Hindi ako guilty dahil nakatulong ako sa taong nangangailangan ng tulong," Sahidulla told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. ICRC kidnapping Vagni, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter were seized by a faction of the Abu Sayyaf on January 15 in Patikul town moments after they inspected a water sanitation project at the Jolo Provincial Jail. Lacaba was first to be released on April 2, followed by Notter on April 18. Sahidulla negotiated for the release of Lacaba, but became the subject of accusations that she was in cahoots with the ICRC workers’ kidnappers. The vice governor had been frequently contacted by the Abu Sayyaf regarding the conditions of the hostages as well as the bandits’ demands. Sahidulla was also the one called by the abductors to pick up Lacaba. Because of the accusations, Sahidulla quit on April 13 from the team that was then negotiating for the release of Notter and Vagni. A week before that, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde even advised Sahidulla to ignore the accusations and go on with her work as head of the Philippine National Red Cross-Sulu chapter. On April 16, Senator Richard Gordon vowed to "protect" Sahidulla if she would be charged, or investigated in connection with the abduction of the three ICRC workers. Gordon, who is also chairman of the PNRC, said then that he wouldn’t allow Sahidulla to be punished in return for her efforts to free the ICRC hostages. "I won’t allow her to be harassed. We will help her if this government investigates or files charges against her. That's not right. We'll do something about it." But on Monday, Gordon denounced the giving of "goodwill" money to the Abu Sayyaf as admitted by Sahidulla. - GMANews.TV