Posted to the MILF Website (Jul 1): 'Release all kidnapped victims in Sulu; stop releasing high-valued ASG inmates from SICA jail'
Human rights organizations under the umbrella of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and the Free Cocoy Tulawie Movement (FCTM) call for the immediate investigation over the suspicious release of high valued-ASG leaders from the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp Bagong Diwa last February 15, 2013 in the light of the recent spate of kidnapping of two independent film-makers and fellow human rights defenders, Linda and Nadjoua Bansil.
Human rights organizations under the umbrella of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and the Free Cocoy Tulawie Movement (FCTM) call for the immediate investigation over the suspicious release of high valued-ASG leaders from the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp Bagong Diwa last February 15, 2013 in the light of the recent spate of kidnapping of two independent film-makers and fellow human rights defenders, Linda and Nadjoua Bansil.
“We share the anxiety and fears of the family and friends of the victims as we also desire to extend whatever possible assistance in order to secure the immediate, unconditional and safe release of the victims”, Sr. Maria Arnold Noel, spokesperson of the Free Cocoy Tulawie Movement said.
It boggles the mind of ordinary Filipinos and Moros why the ASG continues to commit kidnapping and acts of terrorism despite the massive counter-terrorism measures waged against them by the Philippine government. One factor that the group cited is the recent experience during the March 6, 2013 hearing of the criminal case filed by Governor Abdusakur Tan against Cocoy Tulawie before RTC-Manila Branch 19.
The statement revealed that the the private complainant Governor Tan presented in court as his witness, Sali Said, who admitted that he is an active Abu Sayyaf member and son of ASG leader Abu Maas. He proudly admitted that he was involved in kidnapping Ces Drilon in 2008. Sali Said also admitted in open court that the lawyer of the governor worked out his papers for his release from the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) of Camp Bagong Diwa. He was released from SICA last February 15, 2013 through the legal aide program of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. In exchange of the big favour from the Governor of Sulu, Sali Said agreed to testify against Cocoy Tulawie. ASG inmates in SICA are allegedly lining up to testify against Cocoy Tulawie because if they do so, they will accordingly be released by Gov. Tan just like what happened to Sali Said.
Max de Mesa of PAHRA said that “It is quite ironic and extremely disturbing that our soldiers are risking their lives and limbs fighting against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and yet we have witnessed their own self-confessed member freely walking out of the courtroom just because they are under the cloak of a powerful politician. While many of us pin our hopes on President Aquino’s “matuwid na daan” policy, it is depressing that the traditional politicians in Sulu continues to behave like they are above the law and act like sovereign kings who can command the release of even the most notorious terrorist and kidnapper like Sali Said.”
The ASG along with the traditional politicians and warlords in Sulu are the ones destroying the image of this once proud and thriving civilization of the Sultanate of Sulu. As we approached the holy month of Qur’an, the month of Ramdahan, the group appeals to the conscience of the ASG, to release our sisters, Linda and Nadjoua Bansil, safely and unconditionally.
The FCTM strongly urge President Aquino to probe deeper into this matter and ensure that the politicians in Sulu cannot play mockery of justice in order to promote their own political interests at the expense of the blood and tears of our young men and women in uniform who are fighting against the ASG in Sulu. Let the avowed “matuwid na daan” and reform of the ARMM finally reach the shore of Sulu, the statement concluded.
http://www.luwaran.com/
It boggles the mind of ordinary Filipinos and Moros why the ASG continues to commit kidnapping and acts of terrorism despite the massive counter-terrorism measures waged against them by the Philippine government. One factor that the group cited is the recent experience during the March 6, 2013 hearing of the criminal case filed by Governor Abdusakur Tan against Cocoy Tulawie before RTC-Manila Branch 19.
The statement revealed that the the private complainant Governor Tan presented in court as his witness, Sali Said, who admitted that he is an active Abu Sayyaf member and son of ASG leader Abu Maas. He proudly admitted that he was involved in kidnapping Ces Drilon in 2008. Sali Said also admitted in open court that the lawyer of the governor worked out his papers for his release from the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) of Camp Bagong Diwa. He was released from SICA last February 15, 2013 through the legal aide program of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. In exchange of the big favour from the Governor of Sulu, Sali Said agreed to testify against Cocoy Tulawie. ASG inmates in SICA are allegedly lining up to testify against Cocoy Tulawie because if they do so, they will accordingly be released by Gov. Tan just like what happened to Sali Said.
Max de Mesa of PAHRA said that “It is quite ironic and extremely disturbing that our soldiers are risking their lives and limbs fighting against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and yet we have witnessed their own self-confessed member freely walking out of the courtroom just because they are under the cloak of a powerful politician. While many of us pin our hopes on President Aquino’s “matuwid na daan” policy, it is depressing that the traditional politicians in Sulu continues to behave like they are above the law and act like sovereign kings who can command the release of even the most notorious terrorist and kidnapper like Sali Said.”
The ASG along with the traditional politicians and warlords in Sulu are the ones destroying the image of this once proud and thriving civilization of the Sultanate of Sulu. As we approached the holy month of Qur’an, the month of Ramdahan, the group appeals to the conscience of the ASG, to release our sisters, Linda and Nadjoua Bansil, safely and unconditionally.
The FCTM strongly urge President Aquino to probe deeper into this matter and ensure that the politicians in Sulu cannot play mockery of justice in order to promote their own political interests at the expense of the blood and tears of our young men and women in uniform who are fighting against the ASG in Sulu. Let the avowed “matuwid na daan” and reform of the ARMM finally reach the shore of Sulu, the statement concluded.
http://www.luwaran.com/