Civilians help authorities secure Sulu

SULU, Philippines – Armed civilians have joined government patrols in this province where Abu Sayyaf terrorists are holding hostage three International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) workers. Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting water and sanitation project at a prison in Patikul town. Thousands of civilians who now formed part of the police auxiliary force have been guarding vital government installations across Sulu, especially in the towns of Jolo, Indanan and Patikul, where the Abu Sayyaf had previously launched attacks against civilian and government targets. "The police auxiliary force is a big help to us. They are helping us patrol the streets at night, guard our community and protect our villages until this hostage crisis is over," said Mayor Munib Estino of Panglima Estino town. Estino said he and some other mayors, as well as Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, have been participating in these night patrols. "Civilians are fed up with the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf. They are fed up with all these kidnappings and they are condemning this lawlessness perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf," Tan said. Just recently, Abu Sayyaf terrorists burned a garbage truck in the town of Jolo and abducted its driver. "Why do they have to resort to this and abducted the poor driver who takes care our garbage?" asked Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin. The terrorists previously attacked and burned a school in the village of Timpook in Patikul town after a clash with Marines. Major General Juancho Sabban, commander of military forces here, said the burning of the school left hundreds of mostly poor students without education. Sabban's soldiers had helped built many schools and other development projects in partnership with the provincial government and the US military. On Saturday, more than a thousand people joined a peace and prayer rally spearheaded by various civic groups, religious and the business sectors in denouncing the kidnappings of the three aid workers. "This Abu Sayyaf is destroying the image of our beautiful province and brought nothing, but shame to every peace-loving citizen in Sulu. They have no place in Sulu and should be condemned," said Abbas Ibrahim, a civilian volunteer. Ibrahim and his two brothers were among hundreds of men who armed themselves and joined the military and police in patrolling the town of Patikul. Esmail Kiram, the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, who led a huge contingent to the rally, also denounced the kidnappings. "We are good people and we don't deserve these atrocities. Islam is peace," he said. The protesters, including many local Muslim leaders, waved banners saying "We denounce the Abu Sayyaf" and "Enough is enough, no more kidnappings." The gathering continued despite rumors and text messages that the Abu Sayyaf would disrupt the prayer rally. At least 47 civic and religious organizations, including Moro National Liberation Front, a former rebel group, also signed a manifesto condemning the Abu Sayyaf kidnappings. Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF, also met with Tan in Jolo town and offered to help secure the safe release of the hostages. The governor has ordered the military against attempts to rescue the hostage being held by the Abu Sayyaf under Albader Parad and Umbra Jumdail, also called Dr Abu Pula by some people because of his purported ability to perform crude treatments on wounded militants and ailing villagers. Both terrorist leaders were former MNLF fighters, according to the military. But authorities believed that local Muslim scholar Yasser Igasan, said to be the new chieftain of the Abu Sayyaf, and Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, are with the group holding the Red Cross workers. Tan said: "There should be no rescue because the safety of the hostages is the top concern." He said military and police forces would continue to block all escape routes for the Abu Sayyaf holding the trio in Indanan town. Civilians also were helping the soldiers and policemen seal off the area, he said. On Monday, troops clashed with the kidnappers after a failed attempt to rescue the captives. The fighting left 11 soldiers wounded and two of them critically. The Abu Sayyaf, which has also been linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network, is known for kidnappings and bomb attacks on Christians and foreigners. The latest kidnapping saw a Sri Lankan Muslim peace activist seized in the nearby island of Basilan on February 13. - GMANews.TV