SULU Now Under State of Emergency

The Local government of SULU has declared a state of emergency in the whole province.

This is in response to the deadline the Abu Sayyaf had set for the 3 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) members who was threatened to be beheaded at 2PM this afternoon. No news has been heard since then. Malacanang Palace is closely monitoring events in the region. Sulu has been repeatedly been a haven of kidnappers since the 70's.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that President Arroyo is at watch on all the events together with security and civilian authorities. The President has reiterated its request for the immediate release and safety of the hostages. They also are heeding for the public's prayer in this ordeal.

Sentaor and Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman Richard Gordon was very emotionally appealing for the kidnappers to release the 3 aid workers in the hopes the Abu Sayyaf would release what was agreed upon initially. ICRC and also Pope Benedict XVI was asking Abu Sayyaf to release them too. It has always been a hard bargain for these guys and the time they spent there is already too long that some of them are getting sick. I hope no one is harmed til now. If they do then it should be all out war for these terrorists.

I hope they send Philip Salvador, Robin Padilla, Erap, Jinggoy and others because they can kill about 50 villains at one stroke hahah... well that corny part was by my friend Ryan =P

Government Troops Pulling Out of Sulu for ICRC Workers

Today, government troops have started to pullout from war stricken Indanan, Sulu. A force with about a thousand soldiers, police and civilian emergency personnel parted ways with kidnap for ransom groups believed to hold 3 volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These are the same Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom groups that has been hounding the foreigners and filipinos in the Southern Philippines.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Rolando Puno also added that the pullout of government troops was done to start the negotiations for the immediate release of the three Red Cross workers.

But according to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, there are still no news about any recent release as stipulated in their first round of negotiations. PNP Provincial Chief Superintendent Jul Asirim Kasim, also said his men had gone to the Municipality of Maimbong in the same province for this same reason. Abu Sayyaf Commander Al Bader Parad was said to have been holding the three and the pullout was done so talks could resume for their release. No one has notified them that negotiators would actually come from either sides too so there is a big confusion on the field. Puno asked to pullout the 8 untis of military, police and Civilian Emergency Forces in the hopes of getting these people into safety. Everyone else like me is watching for developments as they happen. I'll try and keep you posted!