June 21, 2008 Mind Bullet Inc.
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I.BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer


Ces Drilon kin paid P5 million
PNP chief: Sulu town mayor kept P3M
By Alcuin Papa, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Jerome AningPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:40:00 06/21/2008
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MANILA, Philippines--Ransom of P5 million was paid for the release of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon and her crew, and the chief negotiator for their release pocketed P3 million of the amount, Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon said Friday.
Hours after Razon's announcement, Edgardo B. Espiritu, Philippine ambassador to the United Kingdom and a brother of Drilon's mother, said his family had paid the P5-million ransom for her release.
But the ransom money may be a whole lot bigger.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez told reporters his office had received information that "a second payment of P15 million which was contained in two duffel bags" was made to the kidnappers..
Gonzalez said the P15 million "came from concerned groups."
Razon made the announcement about the P5 million at a press conference, quoting from an affidavit issued by Senior Supt. Winnie Quidato, the acting chief of the PNP Intelligence Group who, Razon said, worked "undercover" on the kidnapping case.
He said Quidato had "first-hand personal knowledge" of the delivery of the P5-million ransom to the chief negotiator, Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Indanan, Sulu, and the delivery of the P2-million cut to the kidnappers of Drilon, her cameramen Angelo Valderama and Jimmy Encarnacion, and Mindanao peace advocate Octavio Dinampo.
In an interview with dzMM radio, Ambassador Espiritu said the family had no choice but to put up a ransom because he and his sister could not bear the thought of something happening to Drilon.
"This was too heavy a burden for us," Espiritu said, adding that both he and his sister were hospitalized during his niece's captivity.
"The money we raised was not only for Ces but for the three [others] who all had families. The [payment was made on condition that the other] three would return safely," he said.
'Can't fault them'
Quoting from the statements of Quidato and PNP investigators, Razon said the P5 million was delivered to Mayor Isnaji by Drilon's brother, Frank Oreña, on June 12, just before cameraman Valderama was released.
The kidnappers then asked for P15 million more, Razon said. Whether this demand was met is still the subject of investigation, he said, adding that the report of the June 17 arrival in Jolo of two duffel bags on board a Seair plane was being looked into.
"We cannot fault the Oreña family for doing everything to bring back their loved one," Razon said.
He said the PNP came to know of the ransom payment only when Quidato returned and filed his report.
Razon also said the PNP had yet to recover the money and was still looking into the possibility of filing charges against those who had provided the ransom.
Since news of the June 8 kidnapping broke and until after the rest of the captives were released on June 17, both the government and the ABS-CBN network stressed that they were keeping to a no-ransom policy.
ABS-CBN on Friday desisted from commenting on the latest developments, saying it preferred to give way to the investigation being conducted by the PNP.
Profuse thanks
Ambassador Espiritu was profuse in thanking the government, Sen. Loren Legarda, PNP chief Razon, and Secretary Puno, as well as those who offered prayers for the release of Drilon et al.
"We will always be indebted to them for their help," he said.
Espiritu, who served as finance secretary during the Estrada administration, took time to deny a circulating text message that he had criticized Legarda for using Drilon's kidnapping to gain media mileage and boost her run for the presidency in 2010.
By her own account, Legarda called on her contacts and negotiated with the kidnappers to bring about the captives' unconditional release.
"I am not an ingrate. I thank Loren for her help. I hope that these ugly things being thrown against her would not come out. She does not deserve these criticisms," Espiritu said.
Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., a cousin of Espiritu's, said he did not get a call from the ambassador to contribute to any ransom.
"I was not aware of [the ransom]. Maybe they raised it on their own," he said.
Despite the PNP and Espiritu's confirmation that ransom was paid for the captives' release, Legarda insisted that she had no knowledge of it.
She also dismissed the text message that assailed her "gall," saying: "They should be man enough to tell these things to the public and not hide behind these text messages. Where were they during the entire time when Ces and Jimmy were being held in captivity?"
Pictures
Razon presented pictures of the money being counted in Isnaji's house in Indanan on June 12. The mayor, his son Haider, Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla (who represented the captives' families in the negotiations), and Quidato were in the pictures.
"These pictures show Alvarez counting the money initially given for the release of Ces. But in the end it was Valderama who was released," Razon said.
But the Isnajis' lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, dismissed the pictures as inconsequential: "If that is proof of kidnapping, then all of them should be charged, then all of them did pocket a portion of the money. Those were just pictures. [The money was] just being counted. If you are a negotiator, shouldn't you count it in the presence of others?"
Francisco also said the PNP claim that Isnaji had taken part of the ransom was "illogical and absurd."
"They are just relying on what Winnie Quidato said. If you go over the affidavit, [you will see that] Mayor Isnaji and son were involved in the negotiations. They were instrumental in the release [of Drilon et al.]," he said.
'DILG employee'
Razon said Quidato had managed to penetrate Mayor Isnaji's party by introducing himself as a civilian employee of the Department of Interior and Local Government sent to Sulu to take part in the negotiations.
"He was able to observe the [actions] of Mayor Isnaji and his son. [Quidato said] what the mayor paid the kidnappers was P2 million, and the P3 million he retained for himself," Razon said, adding: "He knew for a fact that P2 million was paid to the group. He just did not see the payoff."
In a visual presentation for reporters, Razon and other PNP officials said the Isnaji father and son had "actively negotiated for the kidnappers' benefit in the ransom negotiations and the subsequent payment."
"Both acted as emissaries [for the kidnappers] rather than for the government in the release of the hostages," the PNP said.
It said the Isnajis were "in constant communication with the kidnappers and even directed the negotiation for the delivery and payment of the P5-million ransom."
The PNP also said the Isnajis "persistently applied pressure" on the captives' families "for the delivery of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still being held."
'Strong evidence'
Secretary Gonzalez said Quidato's sworn testimony and the photos and video showing Isnaji counting the ransom money constituted strong evidence to pin the mayor and his son on kidnapping charges.
He said the video was in Sulu Vice Governor Sahidulla's keeping.
"Our information states that Isnaji took about P3 million, with the P2 million going to the Abu Sayyaf. We have interesting photos and videos showing him counting the ransom money," Gonzalez told reporters.
He said he did not know whether Isnaji had a share in the final payment of P15 million."
No bail
Gonzalez said the evidence gathered by prosecutors indicated the possibility that Isnaji had "greater participation" in the abduction as well.
He said the police and military also had the captives' location "pinpointed all the time."
"They knew the exact sitio where Ces and her crew were kept. They were prevented from acting only on the request of the negotiator," he said.
Gonzalez also said the Isnajis could no longer post bail because they have been charged with a nonbailable offense.
Kidnapping-for-ransom charges were filed against the Isnajis and at least 14 others the other night.
Puno
But in a phone interview, lawyer Francisco said the PNP's evidence against his clients was weak.
He reiterated Isnaji's earlier disclosure to Inquirer Mindanao--that it was Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno who had instructed the mayor to continue negotiating with the kidnappers. (Puno has dismissed this claim as "hilarious.")
He said this took place when Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, called Isnaji and then passed the phone to Puno.
"Puno told the mayor to continue negotiating," Francisco said. "And when the hostages were released, the mayor received praise."
Francisco said the PNP had known all along about the payment of the ransom through Quidato.
"They knew all about the delivery of the first P5 million, as well as the last part of the ransom," the lawyer said, adding that on June 17, Haider Isnaji delivered the ransom escorted by his father's security as well as policemen sent by Quidato and Goltiao.
Francisco said it was unfair that the mayor was now being tagged the mastermind of the kidnapping when all he did was to negotiate with the abductors.
"In his affidavit, Quidato claims that Mayor Isnaji repeatedly told him that he [Isnaji] pocketed part of the ransom money. Isn't it illogical and contrary to human experience that the mayor could confess such a thing to someone he met for the first time, especially since he is a candidate for ARMM governor?" Francisco said.
Asked who had hired him to serve as the Isnajis' legal counsel, Francisco said it was "someone in the government." He refused to elaborate.
Sahidulla
Malacañang is standing by the PNP's "initial report" linking the Isnajis to the kidnapping of Drilon et al., with Press Secretary Jesus Dureza saying: "Let the normal course of law take its own course."
Asked at a press conference if Sulu Vice Governor Sahidulla was as culpable as the Isnajis, Dureza said: "I can't make that determination."
But he quickly added: "Personal opinion, I don't think she is a suspect."
This is why she left in a huff after things went wrong, Dureza said. "I talked with her on the phone and she said she [didn't like] what was going on at the time, so she left for Davao."
He added that it was for "purposes of transparency" that Sahidulla asked someone to videotape the delivery of the P5-million ransom.
Dureza maintained that the Palace was not changing its tune on the matter of ransom payments.
Palace not admitting it knew about ransom
"The government is not admitting [that it knew the payment of ransom]. It is disclosing the evidence that it has about the payment of ransom. As far as the government is concerned, we have not paid a single centavo of that money," he said.
Asked who had put up the ransom, Dureza said: "I am not privy to where the money came from."
He added: "As far as Malacañang is concerned, our position is, let the evidence be provided. And if anyone like Mayor Isnaji and his son or anybody else are connected with sufficient evidence to the commission of a crime, then the normal course of law will take its course.
With a report from Michael Lim Ubac
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080621-143920/Ces-Drilon-kin-paid-P5-million


2. The Philippine Star

At least P5 M paid – CesBy Tanya Lara Saturday, June 21, 2008
ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon confirmed yesterday that at least P5 million in ransom was paid for the release of cameraman Angelo Valderama last June 12.
Drilon was kidnapped on June 8 with Valderama, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo in Sulu.
The news anchor could not say for sure if Indanan town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider were involved in the kidnapping.
“I could not tell because the kidnappers would converse in Tausug. I would ask the professor what they were talking about and he would say it was more like they were just conveying their demands,” she said.
She declined to comment on reports that a total of up to P30 million in ransom was paid to free her, Encarnacion and Dinampo.
In an exclusive interview with The Philippine STAR in her hospital room at the Medical City in Pasig, Drilon said the kidnappers told them that they had chosen Isnaji to negotiate because the Abu Sayyaf “knew his family and if he betrayed them they would kill all of them.”
“I didn’t feel something fishy was happening, although the police say they have evidence,” Drilon said.
She said that after a series of meetings, the kidnappers decided to release Valderama as a compromise to their original demand of P10 million in exchange for his life. They had earlier threatened to behead the cameraman.
Drilon said Dinampo talked to the kidnappers with the proposal that if P10 million was raised, one hostage would be freed and if P5 million was raised, the ultimatum would be extended.
“This is what happened: There was a P10-million ultimatum, but there was no money,” says Drilon. “It was almost midnight when they agreed to lift the ultimatum. That morning, Angel finished a whole pack of cigarettes, he was so pale, he kept looking at the picture of his kids. He told me, ‘Bahala ka na sa kanila kung ano man ang mangyari sa akin.’ I was telling him, the money will come.”
In the afternoon of June 11 when Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidullah, who was negotiating on behalf of the Drilon family, told the kidnappers that “all my family had was P2 million, they went berserk, they were so angry. Then somebody took Jimmy’s camera and said, ‘Panggatong na lang ito.’ They tied both Angelo and Jimmy and made them kneel on the mud. They said to Angelo that if the money didn’t come, they would behead him and make Jimmy film the beheading.”
According to Drilon, one of the Abu commanders that held them captive said Mayor Isnaji confirmed that there was P5 million and asked them that as a sign of goodwill, they should release one hostage, and the kidnappers decided it would be Valderama.
“In fact, we thought that the next day we would also be released,” she said.
Drilon would not confirm that P30 million was paid for her release, as well as the two others. “I can only speak as far as Angel is concerned, that there was a ransom. For our own release, it was Loren Legarda who talked to them.”
A day after they were kidnapped, Drilon was taken from her group and told that her supposed interview with Abu commander Radulan Sahiron “was now a kidnap for ransom” and was instructed to call her bosses at ABS-CBN. She called up ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Maria Ressa and said, “Maria, you’re on speakerphone. I’m so sorry, I’m being held for ransom. I defied Chari (Villa).” Villa is head of the station’s newsgathering team and Drilon’s boss. She had earlier instructed Drilon not to proceed with the interview with Sahiron and to give her camera and questionnaire to Dinampo, “but then the Professor showed up in our dorm and he said, ‘Let’s go, the jeep’s there.’”
Drilon said when the kidnappers told her she was being held for P20 million, she tried to bargain with them to lower the price. “I said that was too high. I said, P10 million na lang.”
All throughout their 10-day captivity in the jungles, she said they would walk for hours in the darkness, under heavy rain and knee-high mud to go from one camp to another. “The one who would interpret the commander’s instructions seemed to be the one in charge. He was called Commander Tek or Commander Hals. His right arm was amputated, which he took pains to hide from us in the beginning. He was wearing a camouflage raincoat so we could not see that he was one-armed. I only realized it when we were in the camp.”
Drilon said the kidnapping made her realize that “the story is not everything.”
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080620137



3. Manila Times


4. Malaya

Mayor got P3M of P5M ransom: PNPRazon says probers looking if additional payment was made
BY RAYMOND AFRICA
THE police yesterday confirmed that the family of ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon paid P5 million ransom to a bandit group that held her, two cameramen, and a professor for 10 days in Sulu.
PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. said Ces’ brother Frank Oreña delivered the P5 million to Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji a day before Angelo Valderama, Drilon’s assistant cameraman, was released on June 12.
But only P2 million of the P5 million reached the kidnappers as the P3 million was pocketed by Isnaji, Razon said.
Isnaji, chosen by the kidnappers as negotiator, and his son Haider were arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of kidnapping for ransom.
Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and professor Octavio Dinampo were released before midnight Tuesday.
Razon said the information came from Senior Supt. Winnie Quidato of the PNP Intelligence Group, who introduced himself to Alvarez Isnaji as a civilian employee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government who was sent there by the government to assist in negotiations.
"Mula noon, na-observe na ni Quidato ang mga actuations ng mga Isnaji," Razon said.
He said Quidato was at the house of the Isnajis in Sitio Danasih, Indanan, Sulu while the negotiations for the hostages’ release were unfolding.
Razon showed media two pictures taken on June 12 at the house of Mayor Isnaji while Haider was counting the ransom money.
Shown in the photograph aside from the Isnajis were Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidula, Quidato, and the vice governor’s bodyguard.
Razon said the P5 million was meant for Drilon but only Valderama was initially released.
"Yan pa ang inaalam natin ngayon kung meron pang ibang bayaran ng ransom na nangyari," Razon said.
But a part of the powerpoint presentation during the press conference said: "The three hostages (Drilon, Encarnacion, and Dinampo) were released after the balance ransom money was delivered to Mayor Isnaji."
"It was gathered that Mayor Isnaji and his son had persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims for the delivery of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still held in captivity."
Razon had warned of charges against those violating the government’s no ransom policy.
He sang a different tune yesterday.
"Well, pag-aaralan pa natin yan. We can’t fault the Oreña family for trying to bring back their loved ones," Razon said.
He said investigators have established that three of the kidnappers are relatives of Mayor Isnaji.
‘EXCITED’
CIDG director Chief Supt. Raul Castañeda said the Isnajis were unaware that their pictures were being taken while counting the ransom.
"Na-excite na sila sa pera kaya hindi na nila napansin na nakunan sila ng picture," Castañeda said. He did not say who took the pictures.
Castañeda said that based on intelligence gathering, the leader of the kidnap group, which the PNP maintains has links with the Abu Sayyaf group, was led by a "Laring-laring."
It was later established that Laring-laring is Mayor Isnaji, he said.
KIDNAPPERS’ NEGOTIATOR
Director Silverio Alarcio, directorate for operations chief, said the Isnajis "actively negotiated for the kidnappers’ benefit in the ransom negotiations and the subsequent payment. Both acted as emissaries (of the kidnappers) rather than for the government in the release of the hostages," Alarcio said.
Alarcio said the Isnajis persistently applied pressure on the Oreña family to pay ransom.
Razon added: "Anxious na anxious itong si Mayor Isnaji na mabayaran na ang ransom. At isa pa, si mayor ay dumederekta na ng communication sa pamilya ni Ces na hindi naman dapat. Dapat kasi si vice governor ang kumokontak or direktang nakikipag-usap sa pamilya ni Ces, hindi si mayor."
Castañeda presented sketches of 13 members of the kidnap group. He identified them as Sulaiman Patta alias Abu Harris/Tek who is said to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf under Radullan Sahiron, and Walid alias Tuan Wals also of the Sahiron faction.
The others were named only through their aliases such as Seding, Amrin, Adzker, Bas, Bakrin, James, Rihim, and Tawing.
INTELLIGENCE ASSETS
The pictures were among the pieces of evidence presented by the police to the justice department.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said intelligence assets took pictures. He said even Sahidula has her own video showing Isnaji counting the money before it was delivered to the abductors.
"There were pictures showing his participation. He is involved, aside from negotiating. He kept part of the loot. The pictures would show that he was counting the P5 million, hinati niya yung share niya. This would show that they were already part of the kidnapping syndicate," Gonzalez said.
Haider, he said, was the one directing the operations of the Abu Sayyaf.
"That is the report that I received from the PNP," Gonzalez said. "Siya ang nagsasabi kung kelan darating ang pera, saan nakalagay."
WAITING
FOR ‘SOMEONE’
Gonzalez said that at one point, the military could have closed in on the kidnappers to rescue the hostages but the Isnajis prevailed on them because "they were still waiting for someone."
Asked if this "someone" was Sen. Loren Legarda, who said she was tapped by ABS-CBN to help in the negotiations, Gonzalez said he was not sure as the senator’s name did not crop up during investigations.
This, however, does not let her off the hook, he said.
Quidato, in his affidavit, said Mayor Isnaji repeatedly told him he would pocket P3 million of the P5 million.
The kidnappers released Valderama instead of Drilon when the P2 million was delivered. They later asked for P15 million for Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo.
Isnaji has asked that a formal preliminary investigation be conducted on them. The PI, which will be conducted by Senior State Prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos, head of the DOJ anti-kidnapping task force, will start next week.
Gonzalez said the claims of Isnaji’s lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, that they were conducting the negotiation under the orders of Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno could be a good defense if they can prove it.
VIDEOTAPING
Gonzalez also said former ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari helped in identifying some of the suspects and their aliases, including Isnaji.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said he personally believes Sahidula was not involved in the kidnapping.
He said Sahidula told him over the phone that she even ordered the videotaping of the arrival of the ransom money "for the purpose of transparency."
Dureza said government has not paid "a single centavo of that money and our no ransom policy still stands."
Asked if Isnaji’s candidacy for ARMM governor could be considered as motive behind the kidnapping, Dureza said: "I would rather wait until the inquest is done and the matter is adduced and presented in court. This is something that we cannot speculate about in fairness to Mayor Isnaji."
ISNAJI’S FOLLOWING
An election analyst said all might not have been lost for Isnaji’s candidacy.
"I think it could still work for him because, in a way, he became popular… sa national level pa nga e. He was given free publicity kasi, so to speak," said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms.
He said Isnaji’s candidacy is being widely supported by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.
"Dahil suportado siya ng MILF and MNLF, baka lalong lumakas ang suporta sa kanya. Kaya nga may ibang mga nag-iisip na baka ito ay set-up lang ito para masiraan siya at hindi maka-apekto sa pagtakbo ni Ampatuan," he said.
Government is supporting re-electionist Zaldy Ampatuan. – With Evangeline de Vera, Gerard Naval and JP Lopez
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun21/news1.htm



5. Manila Bulletin

Typhoon hits Visayas, nears Bicol


Bad weather diverts President's plane to Davao Typhoon ‘Frank’ hits Visayas, threatens Bicol Mars W. Mosqueda Jr., Madel R. SabaterCEBU CITY – Tropical cyclone "Frank" (international name: Fengshen) reached typhoon category yesterday afternoon and battered several provinces in the Visayas, with storm signal number 3 raised over Samar island, Leyte, and Biliran Island, based on the latest weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
"Frank" dumped heavy rains over some parts of the Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao and making landfall in Eastern Visayas in the afternoon.
PAGASA weather branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said "Frank" made landfall in Eastern Samar yesterday afternoon, heading towards the Bicol region.
He said "Frank" is not expected to intensify into a super-typhoon.
Cruz said "Frank" is expected to stay within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) over the weekend, adding that it may still be within the country by early next week.
He said if "Frank" slows down, it may enhance the southwest monsoon or "hanging habagat," which would bring rains over the western part of the country, including Metro Manila.
According to Cruz, the weather bureau is looking at two scenarios for typhoon "Frank."
He said the typhoon may pass near Metro Manila and affect nearby areas like Southern and Central Luzon or pass by the east of Luzon, including the provinces of Aurora and Cagayan, then go over the Philippine Sea where it would exit the PAR.
Yesterday afternoon, "Frank" packed winds of 140 kph near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph. It was moving towards the west-northwest at 19 kph.
PAGASA raised signal no. 3 over Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, Albay, Burias island, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Samar provinces, Leyte and Biliran island yesterday afternoon. It also placed the areas of Quezon, Polillo island, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Cebu, and Southern Leyte on signal no. 2 while signal number one was hoisted over Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, and Metro Manila in Luzon; Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, the rest of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Occidental, and Guimaras in the Visayas as well as Dinagat and Siargao islands in Mindanao.
"Frank" is expected to be over Camarines Norte by this afternoon and at about 50 kms northwest of Baler, Aurora by tomorrow afternoon. It will then be at some 30 kms northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte by Monday afternoon.
PAGASA advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal 2 and 3 have been alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by the tropical cyclone.
Even before "Frank" hit the Visayas, heavy rains hammered Cebu the past days, prompting some public schools in both the elementary and high school levels to cancel classes.
Frank’s international name, Fengshen, means "God of Wind" in Chinese. It is the country’s sixth tropical cyclone this year and the first for this month.
"Frank" was initially seen as a low pressure area (LPA) on the east of Southern Mindanao Sunday morning but developed into a tropical cyclone Wednesday afternoon.
PAGASA expects about 20 tropical cyclones this year due to an active tropical cyclone season.
Typhoon ‘Frank’ diverts GMA’s plane to Davao City
Typhoon "Frank" forced President Arroyo’s plane to divert to Davao yesterday and cancel an appointment in Capiz province.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Mrs. Arroyo decided to cancel her appearance at the inauguration of a modular power plant in Panitan, Capiz due to bad weather.
Mrs. Arroyo’s plane was diverted to Davao and took off from there on the return flight to Manila, Dureza said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the typhoon Signal No. 1 over the provinces of Capiz, Bohol, Northern Negros, Aklan and Northern Iloilo in the Visayas, the provinces of Romblon, Marinduque, Southern Quezon including Polilio in Luzon, and the province of Surigao del North in Mindanao.
Signal No. 2 was raised over the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Southern Leyte, Burias Island, Northern Cebu, Dinagat Island and Siargao Island. Signal No. 3 was raised over the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Samar and Leyte including Biliran Island.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said residents in provinces where Signal No. 3 was raised should expect heavy damage to agriculture, uprooting of trees, and the destruction of nipa and cogon houses.
Golez said the National Disaster Coordinating Council has been instructed to warn the provinces along the path of typhoon Frank, and to coordinate evacuation procedures and preparations for relief to the victims of the typhoon. (David Cagahastian)
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080621127830.html



6. The Daily Tribune

Isnaji pocketed 60% of TV crew’s ransom—DILG chief

06/21/2008
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno yesterday accused Indanan town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who acted as negotiator of the then hostaged ABS-CBN crew and guide of having pocketed 60 percent of the claimed P5 million ransom while allegedly pretending to negotiate their release from Muslim militants.
Police have asked prosecutors to file kidnapping charges against Isnaji and his son, Haider for the abduction of ABS-CBN network presenter Ces Oreña-Drilon, her crew members, Angelo Valderama and Jimmy Encarnacion, along with university professor Octavio Dinampo.
Puno told dzBB radio in a live interview yesterday that police had witnesses and photo evidence to show the elder Isnaji had personally handled P5 million raised to buy the freedom of the hostages.
“The kidnappers themselves were double-crossed,” said Puno, who was talking about the evidence against the father and son for the first time in public.
Drilon and the two other hostages were freed in Jolo, Sulu late Tuesday after nine days of negotiations during which the elder Isnaji warned the authorities that the gunmen had threatened to behead the captives if ransom was not paid.
The crew and a university professor were seized June 8 as they went to interview a senior Abu Sayyaf leader, Radullon Sahiron.
Police had first described the kidnappers as members of Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group with ties to al-Qaeda.
“They got the (Drilon) family to fork out the money after the station (ABS-CBN) refused to pay ransom,” Puno said.
The DILG chief alleged the Isnajis “got P3 million and only P2 million went to the kidnappers,” adding that a police intelligence agent would be testifying in court that the elder Isnaji had boasted on getting hold of the ransom: “With this money, I can order them (kidnappers) to free one of them (hostages).”
One of Drilon’s two cameramen was freed on June 12 after Alvarez Isnaji said he paid P100,000 in “board and lodging” fees to the kidnappers — a euphemism for ransom.
The mayor said a similar amount was later paid to secure the release of the rest of the group.
The mayor and his son, who the elder Isnaji had described as his personal emissary to the kidnappers, were arrested Wednesday.
Their lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, said his clients were innocent and are being prosecuted for “political reasons.”
“If you examine the background of Mayor Isnaji, there is no instance in the past that he was involved in any criminal activity,” he told ABS-CBN in an interview.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the elder Isnaji was a highly respected politician in Jolo who plans to run for governor of the Muslim autonomous region, which includes the island, in August. But yesterday, Gonzalez was singing a different tune, disclosing that former ARMM Governor and Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari had identified Mayor Isnaji as part of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap group.
Puno said information received by his office indicated that Isnaji may be a “principal player” in the incident, adding that he may even have masterminded the kidnapping.
“The first information that I got was that the mastermind was one called Laring-Laring. When we asked who this person was, it turned out Laring-Laring i s an alias used by Isnaji,” Puno also recounted on TV yesterday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday also confirmed the ransom payoff in exchange for the release of TV crew and guide, a university professor, saying it has an “air tight case” against Isnaji and his son on their alleged involvement in the Sulu kidnapping.
PNP chief director General Avelino Razon Jr., released to mediamen photos that showed the Isnajis receiving the P5 million cash which was part of the initial ransom payment for the release of Drilon’s group.
The payment of the ransom money – which was witnessed by Sr. Supt. Winnie Quidato of the PNP Intelligence Group – happened inside Mayor Isnaji’s house at Barangay Timbangan, Indanan, Sulu last June 12.
“Let me emphasize that this photo is only one of our many pieces of evidence against Mayor Isnaji and his son. We also have testimonies from key witnesses that would link them to the kidnapping case,” Razon pointed out.
Other personalities shown in the photo during the ransom payment were Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla and an unidentified security detail of Mayor Isnaji.
Quoting Quidato, Razon said Mayor Isnaji gave the P 2 million to the members of the kidnap gang and later “pocketed” the P 3 million for himself and his son.
The PNP chief also disclosed that they have tagged Sahidulla as among their key witnesses in the involvement of the Isnaji’s in the kidnapping incident.
In a telephone interview, Quidato – who is presently the acting chief of the PNP-IG Intelligence Division – said the Isnajis even counted the P 5 million ransom money before Haider placed P 2 million from the total amount to smaller bag for the kidnap gang members.
“Most of the bills were in P 500 denomination. They counted the money in front of us,” Quidato recalled. Quidato, who formerly worked as intelligence officer of the Bureau of Immigration before his appointment to the PNP-IG, posed as a negotiator from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Razon also said it was Quidato who was able to identify through his local contacts that Mayor Isnaji and “Laring-laring”, who was being referred to by the kidnap gang members during the negotiations for the release of Drilon’s group as their leader, are one and the same person.
The initial payment of P 5 million ransom resulted in the release of ABS-CBN assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama on the same day (June 12).
According to Razon, Frank Oreña – brother of Ces – delivered the money to the negotiators. “We won’t hold him liable for violating the government’s no-ransom policy because we understand that his family was under extreme pressure, thinking about the safe release of Ces Drilon,” Razon said.
Director Silverio Alarcio, PNP directorate for operations, said Mayor Isnaji and his son “had been in constant communication with the kidnappers and even directed the negotiation for the delivery and payment of the ransom money amounting to P 5 million.”
Citing results of the investigation conducted by police authorities, Alarcio also said that Mayor Isnaji “persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims for the delivery of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still held in captivity.”
The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) led by Chief Supt. Raul Castaneda filed charges of violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (Kidnapping for ransom) before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against Mayor Isnaji, Heider Isnaji and 14 other suspected Abu Sayyaf members in connection with the Ces Drilon abduction.
Among those charged were Sulaiman Pattah, alias “Tek Harris”, sub leader of the Radullah Sahiron Group; Walid, alias “Tuan Wals”; a certain alias “Seding”; alias “Amrin”; alias “Adzker”; alias “Bas”; alias “Bakrin”; alias “ Rihim”; alias “James”; alias “ Tawing”; and three other unidentified members of the RSG.
Lawyer Jose Loredo, who works in the presidential peace commission, yesterday called to clarify that he was never charged, as erroneously reported by the Tribune yesterday, saying he was not even anywhere near the area in Zamboanga.
Razon also released to the media artist sketches of the members of the kidnap gang.
“We have established that they are Abu Sayyaf members,” he added.
Mayor Isnaji and Haider are now detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
Meanwhile, opposition Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday slammed those who criticized her participation in the release from captivity of broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and two others.
Legarda challenged those who engaged in black propaganda through so-called mobile text brigade discrediting her efforts, to come out in public and openly accuse her of any supposed misdeeds.
“They should be man enough to tell these things to the public and not hide behind these text messages. Why? Where were they during the entire time when Ces and Jimmy were being held in captivity?” she asked.
Legarda reacted strongly to the text messages that circulated yesterday condemning her alleged grandstanding and credit-grabbing in the release of Drilon and companions last Wednesday, shortly after the family of the ABS-CBN correspondent and news anchor’s family reportedly paid the kidnappers the P5 million ransom.
Former Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu who is Drilon’s uncle, was being quoted in the text message regarding Legarda’s alleged credit-grabbing.
Espiritu himself, during a radio interview, admitted that their family members indeed pooled resources to come up with the money to effect the release of Drilon. Of Legarda, he said: “She silently worked hard in ensuring my niece’ safe release. She doesn’t deserve all these criticisms being thrown her way,” he said.
Legarda, for her part, also said that the management of the ABS-CBN news and current affairs, especially some executives of the said network who accompanied her to fetch Drilon and her crew, could attest to the fact that she did not want any leakage to the media of her participation in the talks.
It was only after Drilon was freed by her kidnappers that she agreed to come out in the public upon the prodding of the TV executives, she said. Gina Peralta-Elorde, Angie M. Rosales, AFP and PNA
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080621hed1.html




7. Abante

ISNAJI PUMARTE SA RANSOM!
Ni NILO MARASIGAN

Inilatag kahapon ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang hawak na mga ebidensyang litrato na nagpapatunay ng pakikiparte ni Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Is­naji at ng anak nito sa ransom na ipinantubos sa news team ni Ces Oreña-Drilon mula sa kamay ng Abu Say­yaf.
Inilatag kahapon ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang hawak na mga ebidensyang litrato na nagpapatunay ng pakikiparte ni Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji at ng anak nito sa ransom na ipi­nantubos sa news team ni Ces Oreña-Drilon mula sa kamay ng Abu Sayyaf.
Mismong si PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. ang naglatag sa media ng hawak ngayong ebidensya laban sa alkalde at anak na si Haider ‘Jun’ Isnaji.
Ayon kay Razon, naganap ang ransom payment para sa inisyal na P5 milyon sa mismong bahay ni Isnaji noong Hunyo 12. Kitang-kita sa lara­wan si Isnaji at anak nito na binibilang ang bungkos na milyones habang nakasaksi sina Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla at P/Supt. Willie Quidatu ng PNP Intelligence Group na siya umanong nagsilbing undercover agent sa operation.
P2M lang sa abductors
Gayunpaman, sa natu­rang halaga ay P2 milyon o 40% lamang umano ang ibinigay ni Isnaji sa mga kidnappers. Nabatid na personal na dinala sa Sulu ng mismong kapatid ng bihag na broadcast journalist na si Frank Oreña. “It was established, he only delivered P2 million to the abductors and had kept the remaining ba­lance,” ani Razon.
Ngunit bilang resulta ng paunang bayad, ta­nging ang assistant cameraman ni Drilon na si Angelo Valderama ang pinawalan ng mga kidnappers.
Alyas Larin-Larin
Bago ito, sinabi ng opis­yal na nakatanggap ng impormasyon ang pulisya mula sa mga local sour­ces hinggil sa isang nagnga­ngalang Larin-La­rin na siya umanong nagdi­dikta hinggil sa ransom payment na sa kalaunan ay nabistong alyas umano ni Mayor Isnaji.
Dahil dito, isinugo ng PNP-IG si Quidatu sa Jolo at nagpakilalang kinatawan ng Department of Interior and Local Govern­ment (DILG) sa paghahatid ng nasabing ransom payment. Wala umanong alam si Isnaji na tauhan ng pulisya si Quidatu.
Sa buong panahon ng pagkakabihag sa grupo nina Drilon, nadiskubre rin aniyang naging constant o tuluy-tuloy ang komunikasyon ng alkalde at anak nitong si Jun sa pa­milya ng mga kidnap victims kung saan dumating pa umano sa puntong tinakot at pinressure ng mag-ama ang mga kaanak ng mga biktima.
“It was gathered that Mayor Isnaji and his son had persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims for the deli­very of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still held in captivity,” dagdag pa ni Razon.
Full payment na P15M
Napawalan lamang a­niya sina Drilon, camera­man nitong si Jimmy Encarnacion at Mindanao State University (MSU) Prof. at peace advocate Octavio Dinampo matapos na umano’y maibigay ang hinihirit na balanse ng ransom money.
“The three hosta­ges were released after the balance ransom money was delivered to Mayor Isnaji,” dagdag pa nito.
Ang sinasabing P15 milyon umanong ransom payment ay hiwalay nga­yong iniimbestigahan ng mga awtoridad kung saan inaalam ang koneksyon nito sa misteryosong pag­lapag sa Jolo airport ng isang Seair commercial flight na nagdiskarga ng dalawang duffle bag na hinihinalang naglalaman ng nasabing pera.
Samantala, bagama’t napasama sa kontrobersyal na picture, hindi naman aniya kasama si Vice Gov. Sahidulla sa kakasuhan dahil tumatayo itong witness sa bayaran ng ransom.
Mula sa Malacañang, sinabi rin ni Press Sec. Jesus Dureza na malabo ring madawit sa kaso ang bise gobernadora dahil ito mismo ang nag-utos na kunan ng litrato ang bultu-bultong pera, isang indikasyong malinis ang intensyon nito.
Magugunitang inamin kamakailan ni Sahidulla na may naibigay ngang ransom sa mga kidnappers subalit tumanggi itong mag­siwalat ng impormas­yon.
Maliban sa picture evi­dence, marami pa, ani Razon, na pinanghahawakang ebidensya ang PNP gaya ng mga witnesses account, intelligence reports, records of events at iba pa katulad ng inconsistencies sa testimonya nito sa KFR case.
Buhul-buhol na kwento
Nabatid kay Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Supt. Raul Castaneda na kabilang sa inconsistency ni Isnaji ang hindi nito pag-amin sa P5 milyong natanggap na ransom.
“’Yung alleged P100,000 board and lod­ging lang ang sinabi niya, he never admitted the P5 million ransom,” ani Castaneda.
Isusumite na ng CIDG sa Department of Justice (DOJ) ang mga ebiden­syang litrato kung saan pormal na naipagharap ng kasong kidnapping for ransom ang mag-amang Isnaji.
3 sa kidnap gang, kaanak?
Lumitaw rin sa imbesti­gasyon na tatlo sa mga natu­koy na kidnappers ng nabanggit na television news team ay malapit na kaanak ni Mayor Isnaji na patuloy ngayong kinakalkal ng mga awtoridad.
Sa kaugnay na balita, inilabas na rin kahapon ng PNP ang iba pang artist sketch ng mga sangkot sa Drilon KFR case na natukoy sa mga alyas na Se­ding; alyas Amrin; alyas Adzker; alyas Bas; alyas Bakrin; alyas Rihim; alyas James; alyas Tawing; at 3 unidentified na pawang mga tauhan ni ASG Lea­der Radullan Sahiron.
Si Sahiron ang magugunitang naging pakay nina Drilon sa pagtungo sa Sulu para kapanayamin ito sa tulong ni Dinampo ngunit sa malas ay binihag ang grupo noong Hun­yo 8, 2008.
Walang pulitika
Mariin namang itinanggi ni Razon na may kulay pulitika sa pagdawit kay Isnaji sa Drilon team kidnapping.
Ito ay makaraang bak­­­bakan ng ilan ang diumano’y pang-iipit kay Isnaji dahil isa ito sa kari­bal sa pulitika ni incumbent ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan na kilalang kapanalig ng administrasyon. Bukas na kaalaman ang nakatakdang pagtakbo ni Isnaji sa gubernatorial race sa ARMM elections sa Agosto 11.
“Mina-muddle lang itong issue,” anang he­neral.
Konting ingat
Kahapon ay pinayuhan naman ni House Speaker Prospero Nograles ang pulisya na maging maingat sa paghawak sa kaso ni Isnaji dahil maaaring naka­tutok na rito ang international community lalo pa’t iginigiit ng Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) na walang katotohanan ang paratang sa kanilang dating lider.
“As a lawyer, to charge is one thing and to convict is another,” anang solon na umaasang gagawing ‘air-tight’ ng PNP ang isasampang kaso na suportado ng ‘solid evidence’ upang hindi mapahiya sa international community.
Bilang reaksyon, tiniyak ni Local Government Ronaldo Puno na matibay ang ebidensyang magdidiin sa alkalde at anak bilang ‘principal suspects’ sa kidnap-for-ransom case na ito.
Maging si DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez ay nagsabing lumalakas ang mga ebidensya laban kay Isnaji. Kinumpirma rin ng kalihim na isa si dating ARMM Gov. at MNLF chairman Nur Misuari sa mga tumutulong sa pagtukoy sa mga taong nasa likod ng krimen.
Kaugnay nito, naka­handa ang Public Attorneys Office (PAO) na magkaloob ng isang Muslim lawyer na siyang dedepensa sa mag-amang Isnaji sa korte kung hihi­ngin ng dalawa. Mismong si Deputy PAO chief Macapangcat Mama na isang Muslim ay nakahandang magbigay ng serbisyo sa mag-ama.
Loren nagulat
Hindi naman itinago ni Sen. Loren Legarda ang pagkabigla sa ngayo’y pagkakadawit na ng mag-amang Isnaji sa kaso gayong kasa-kasama at nakatulong sa negosasyon ang mga ito para matiyak ang ligtas na paglaya ng Channel 2 news team.
“Nakakagulat na silang mag-ama ang principal suspect pero ako naman let the law take its course dahil hindi ko naman alam ‘yung mga detalye ng kaso,” wika ni Legarda.
Inamin din nitong kay Isnaji rin siya tumulay para makaugnay ang mga kidnappers at sa ilang okasyon ay makausap si Drilon na dati niyang kasama sa ABS-CBN.
Sa panig naman ng ilang kongresista, sinabi nina Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay at Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon na hindi maaaring sisihin ang pamilya ng mga biktima kung napilitan man silang magbayad ng ransom kapalit ng kaligtasan at kala­yaan ng mga mahal nila sa buhay.
Ayon kay Biazon, pribadong desisyon ng pa­milya ang pagbabayad ng ransom at dahil ang ‘no ransom policy’ ay sumasakop lamang sa partisipasyon ng gobyerno sa buong proseso ng negosasyon, ito ang dapat na silipin sa imbestigasyon. (With Rose Miranda/Bernard Taguinod/Noel Abuel/Grace Velasco/Boyet Jadulco/Eralyn Prado)
http://abante.com.ph/issue/june2108/default.htm



8. Abante-Tonite

4 NI-RAPE NI LOLO, NAKA-VIDEO PA!
Dindo Matining

Posibleng sa kulungan na maghintay ng kanyang katandaan ang isang 76-anyos na lolo matapos akusahan ng umano’y pangmomolestiya sa apat na menor de edad na may edad 14 hanggang 16-anyos na kinuhanan pa ng video sa cellphone habang ginagawan ng kahalayan sa Pasig City.Kinilala ng Pasig Police ang suspek na si Ania­nas Paz, nakatira sa Liwayway St., Bgy. Caniogan ng nasabing lungsod, na nahaharap sa mga kasong corruption of minor, abduction of minor at paglabag sa Republic Act 7610 o child abuse.Napag-alaman na nabuking ang ginagawang kalaswaan ni Paz nang palayasin nito ang kanyang katulong na ginalaw din umano nito. Subalit bago makaalis ng bahay, nagawang makakuha ng katu­long na itinago sa pa­nga­lang Lea, ng video sa cellphone ng suspek sa pamamagitan ng Bluetooth.Nakipag-ugnayan agad si Lea sa DSWD at sa pulisya, at dahil may matibay na
Sinisiyasat ng isang pulis ang bangkay ng dalawa sa tatlong holdaper na napatay matapos maki­pagbarilan sa mga awtoridad kamakalawa ng gabi sa Zabarte Road, Bgy. Kaligayahan, Quezon City. (Noel Tolentino)
ebidensiya kaagad na sinalakay ng mga awtoridad ang bahay ng suspek.Ayon kay SPO1 Judith Ablaza, dakong alas-nuwebe ng gabi nang salaka­yin ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng Women’s Desk at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang bahay ng suspek.Sa naturang raid, na-rescue ng mga awtoridad sa bahay ang isang 14-an­yos na dalagita na itinago sa pangalang “Abby”, isang 1st year high school student. Nabawi rin ng mga awtoridad ang cellphone ng matanda at nang siya­satin ito, madiskubreng naka-record dito ang apat na magkahiwalay ng insidente ng panghahalay sa apat na mga menor de edad.“Ang panghuli ay ang 14-year-old na babae na kapitbahay na matanda,” ayon pa kay Inspector Bebot Zinampan, hepe ng Pasig Police Follow-up Unit.Sa pagsusuri sa video, lumalabas na tinuturuan pa ng matanda ang mga dalagita kung paano makipag-sex sa kanya.Sa salaysay naman ni Abby sa imbestigador ng Women’s Desk, sinabi nitong, pinatawag umano siya ng matanda upang tulungan ito sa pag-asikaso sa asawa nitong may sakit. “Akala ko maglilinis lang ako ng kuwarto, iyon pala gagawan niya ako ng hindi maganda,” ayon sa pahayag ni Abby. Kaugnay nito, pinaghahanap ngayon ng pulisya ang tatlo pang dalagita na nakitang katalik ni Paz sa video upang makapagsampa rin ang mga ito ng kaukulang kaso.Nabatid pa ng mga pulis na binibigyan ng matanda ng pera ang mga dalagita matapos niya itong molestiyahin. “Sinasabihan din kami na huwag raw naming ipaalam sa iba,” ayon pa kay Abby na dinala kahapon sa Rizal Medical Center upang magpa-medical.Walang kaalam-alam ang mga anak ng suspek sa mga pangyayari. Suba­lit nang maipakita ng mga awtoridad ang sex video, la­king gulat ng mga ito hinggil sa ginawang kalaswaan ng kanilang ama. “Pati iyong asawa parang nanghina lalo nang malaman ang ginawa ng kanyang asawa,” ayon pa kay Zinampan.Mariin namang itinanggi ng matanda sa mga awtoridad na siya ang lala­king nasa video ng kanyang cellphone. Pero hindi ito makapagsalita nang tanungin ng TONITE kung totoo ang akusasyon sa kanya.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/june2108/crime1.htm



9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

P3-M ibinulsa ni Mayor!Ni Joy Cantos Saturday, June 21, 2008
Pumarte umano sa ibinayad na P5 milyong ransom si Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji at anak nitong si Haider kung saan P2 milyon lamang ang idineliber sa mga kidnaper at ang P3 milyon ay ibinulsa umano ng alkalde.
Sa press briefing sa Camp Crame kahapon, kinumpirma ni PNP Chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. ang P5 milyong ransom na sinasabing naunang naibayad kapalit ng kalayaan ng assistant cameraman ng ABS-CBN na si Angelo Valderama.
“Ransom was paid. It was established that of the P5M ransom Isnajis’ only delivered P2-M ransom to the abductors and had kept the remaining balance,” ani Razon.
Gayunman, ang sina­sabing malaking bulto pa ng ransom na ibinayad naman sa mga kidnappers noong Hunyo 17 ilang oras bago palayain sina Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion at Prof. Oc­tavio Dinampo ay kasalu­kuyan pang inaalam.
Batay sa mga impor­masyon, sinasabing nasa P20 hanggang P30M uma­no ang ibinayad kapalit ng paglaya ng mga bihag.
Gayunman, P5M la­mang sa nasabing ransom ang kinukumpirma ni Ra­zon dahil ito ang nakunan ng ebidensya ng isang opisyal ng PNP na nag­sil­bing undercover sa ransom payoff noong Hunyo 12 kung saan pinalaya si Valderama.
Ipinakita rin ni Razon sa mediamen ang mga larawan bilang ebidensya sa mag-amang Isnaji habang binibilang ang P5M ransom na nakunan sa bahay mismo ng mga ito sa Brgy. Timbangan, Indanan, Sulu ilang oras matapos na palayain si Valderama.
“The evidence itself speaks louder than words that the Isnajis is behind the abduction. It was gathered that Mayor Isnaji and his son had persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims,” sabi ni Razon.
Ang naturang ransom umano ay sinasabing di­nala sa Sulu ni Frank Drilon, ka­patid ni Ces.
Nasa naturang larawan din si Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidullah na kasama ng mga itong nagbibilang ng pera.
Ani Razon, pinag-aara­­ lan na nilang gawin itong testigo laban sa mag-ama.
Lingid din sa kaalaman ng mag-amang Isnaji ay hindi negosyador ang nakasibilyang opisyal na si Sr. Supt. Winnie Qui­dato, ng PNP-Intelligence Group kundi na­niktik ito para kumuha ng mga ebi­den­sya laban sa mga ito.
Sinabi ni Razon na patuloy rin nilang iimbesti­gahan ang nagtraydor kina Ces na si Jumail Biyaw alyas Mameng na nasa kustodya ng AFP-Joint Task Force Comet sa Jolo, Sulu.
Maliban sa mag-amang Isnaji, kinasuhan din ng kidnapping-for-ransom ang dalawang na­unang natukoy na suspect na sina Sulayman Patta alyas Abu Harris/Tek, sub-leader ni Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron at Taun Wais alyas Walid.
Pinaghahanap na rin sina alyas James, Seding, Amrin Adzker, Bas, Bakrin, Rihim, Tawing at 3 iba pa na di natukoy ang pagka­kakilanlan; pawang mga tagasunod ni Sahiron alyas Kumander Putol, may patong sa ulong P5M.
Ang mag-ama ay kap­wa nakakulong ngayon sa PNP-Custodial Center sa Camp Crame at walang piyansang inirekomenda sa mga ito.
http://philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008062045


10. Journal
RANSOM WAS PAID
By: Alfred P. Dalizon
PROOF OF RANSOM. Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji (seated, L) watches as his son Haider and Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula inspect the money meant to buy the freedom of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her two cameramen. The photo was presented by the police as evidence of the mayor’s involvement in the kidnapping.
‘Negotiator’ photographed counting money �" PNPIN a tacit admission that ransom was paid for the release of television broadcaster Ces Oreña-Drilon and three others, Philippine National Police officials yesterday said Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji masterminded the kidnapping and pressured her family to raise a P5 million ransom, P3 million of which he reportedly pocketed. PNP chief Director General Avelino I. Razon, Jr. confirmed reports that a P5 million ransom was delivered by Drilon’s brother Frank Oreña. He added that they have proof the mayor only gave P2 million to the kidnappers and pocketed the rest of the money. In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Razon showed two pictures taken at the house of Mayor Isnaji on June 12 showing him counting the ransom money in the presence of Sulu Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidullah, his son Haider alias “Jun,” and an undercover police officer, Senior Supt. Winnie Quidato of the PNP Intelligence Group. “We have lots of evidence against Mayor Isnaji in terms of witnesses’ accounts, intelligence reports, statements and even pictures and records of the events,” Razon said. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Chief Supt. Raul L. Castañeda said they found several inconsistencies in Isnaji’s statements when he was subjected to a debriefing last Wednesday. “First, Mayor Isnaji said P100,000 was paid for the ‘board and lodging’ of the hostages and he did not say there was the P5 million raised by the Oreña family,” Castaneda said. The CIDG chief said that so far, they have three police officers including Quidato and several civilians who will testify against Isnaji and 16 others charged with kidnapping-for-ransom Thursday evening. “We made that clear to Department of Justice prosecutors Thursday night,” he said. PNP Director for Operations Director Silverio D. Alarcio, Jr. said their investigation also showed that Mayor Isnaji and his son Haider “actively negotiated for the kidnappers’ benefit in the ransom negotiations and the subsequent payment.” “Both acted as the emissaries of the Abu Sayyaf rather than for the government in the release of the hostages,” Alarcio said. He added that they also found out that Mayor Isnaji and his son “had been in constant communication with the kidnappers and even directed the negotiation for the delivery and payment of the ransom amounting to P5 million.” “It was established he only delivered P2 million to the abductors and had kept the remaining balance. It was gathered that Mayor Isnaji and his son had persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims for the delivery of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still held in captivity,” Alarcio said. According to Razon, they only got wind of Isnaji’s involvement in the kidnapping when Quidato secretly reported to them what he had witnessed at the house of the mayor who is running for the gubernatorial post of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He said that Quidato was sent to Jolo in a covert operation after the PNP-IG headed by Chief Supt. Rolando T. Anonuevo received information that the Abu Sayyaf Group that seized Drilon, her cameramen Angelo Valderama and Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University Professor Octavio Dinampo is headed by a certain “Larin-Larin.” “It turned out that Larin-Larin is the alias of Mayor Isnaji,” Razon said. He said Quidato identified himself as a civilian representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government tasked to monitor the progress of the negotiations for the safe release of the captives. According to Quidato, only P2 million went to the kidnappers and Mayor Isnaji retained the rest. He said that the kidnappers made it appear they would release Drilon if they got the money but instead released only cameraman Valderama that day. Razon said they are continuing their investigation into the alleged delivery of more ransom contained in two duffel bags for the hostages, said to have been delivered on a Seair flight from Zamboanga City. Reports said the bags contained at least P15 million. “There was initially P5 million paid by the Oreña family on June 12, the money delivered at the house of the mayor,” he said. Razon said they were unaware that the Oreña family raised the P5 million ransom until Quidato reported it to them. He said that Vice Governor Lady Arin Sahidullah was not involved in the case and will testify that Mayor Isnaji got the money. “Mayor Isnaji never thought that Quidato is an undercover officer,” he said.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-21&sec=1&aid=63927



11. Business World

12. Business Mirror


II.POLITICAL

Isnaji pocketed P3 M – PNPBy Cecille Suerte Felipe Saturday, June 21, 2008
Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, arrested for the kidnapping of ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon and three others, kept most of the P5-million initial ransom while pretending to negotiate their release from Abu Sayyaf bandits, Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said yesterday.
Razon said a police undercover agent saw Isnaji and his son Haider handling the P5 million delivered to their home by a brother of Drilon to buy her freedom and those of her crew and guide.
During the nine-day hostage ordeal, the mayor publicly warned authorities that the gunmen had threatened to behead the captives if a ransom was not paid.
Razon said police intelligence officer Senior Superintendent Winnie Quidato personally witnessed Isnaji taking P3 million from the ransom money and leaving the rest for the kidnappers.
Quidato introduced himself to Isnaji as an officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“Quidato was sent to Jolo in a covert operation after we received information that the leader of kidnap for ransom is a certain Larin-larin. This info came from local sources, and piecing together these information, (we found out) Larin-larin is the alias of Isnaji,” Razon said.
“We consider him (Isnaji) as the leader of the kidnap group,” Razon told a news conference.
Abu Sayyaf kidnappers freed Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo before midnight last Tuesday after nine days in captivity. A fourth hostage, Angelo Valderama, was released earlier. Authorities and ABS-CBN said no ransom was paid. But sources said more than P30 million changed hands.
Philippine Ambassador to Britain Edgardo Espiritu, an uncle of Drilon’s, confirmed over radio station dzMM the payment of ransom, saying that their family had to raise the money to ensure that his niece and her crew would be released safely.
At a press briefing, Razon showed two pictures of the Isnajis counting the money, with the undercover agent and provincial Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidullah serving as witnesses.
Quidato will testify that P2 million was given to the gunmen while the mayor kept P3 million, Razon said.
The money has not been recovered, he added.
The mayor and his son, who the elder Isnaji had described as his personal emissary to the kidnappers, were arrested Wednesday. They are now in the heavily guarded PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame. The two will undergo preliminary investigation on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
Their lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, said his clients were innocent and being prosecuted for “political reasons.” Isnaji is eyeing the governorship of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Police also released yesterday artist’s sketches of the 13 kidnappers.
Razon said three of the 13 Abu Sayyaf gunmen who held Drilon’s group were blood relatives of the mayor.
The gunmen released Valderama on June 12 after the mayor said he paid P100,000 in “board and lodging” fees to the kidnappers.
The mayor said a similar amount was later paid to secure the release of the rest of the group.
But Razon said the police were investigating reports that another shipment of ransom money was flown by private plane to Jolo after June 12, resulting in the release of the remaining three hostages.
Isnaji said at the time that Sen. Loren Legarda, a friend of Drilon’s who is widely expected to run for president in the 2010 election, had helped him secure their freedom.
“We cannot fault the (Drilon) family for doing everything to bring back their loved one,” Razon said.
At Malacañang, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza assured the Isnajis that they would be accorded due process.
“If he has done nothing wrong then he will be freed. Due process is provided for under the Constitution,” Dureza said.
“He may be implicated now but he will still be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law,” he added.
Abu Sayyaf’s choice
Razon said it was the government which tapped Sahidullah as negotiator, unlike Isnaji who was the Abu Sayyaf’s handpicked emissary.
Later, Isnaji was reportedly communicating with Drilon’s family without coordinating with Sahidullah.
Razon said the P5-million ransom brought to Sulu by Drilon’s brother Frank was intended for the release of all the hostages but it only bought the freedom of Valderama.
“Both (Isnaji father and son) had actively negotiated for the kidnappers’ benefit in the ransom negotiations and the subsequent payment,” Director Silverio Alarcio Jr., chief of the Directorate for Operation, said in a power point presentation of the events concerning the kidnapping.
“It was established that Isnaji only delivered P2 million to the abductors and kept the remaining balance. It was gathered that the mayor and his son had persistently applied pressure on the family of the victims for the delivery of the remaining ransom money for the release of the other hostages still held in captivity,” said Alarcio.
While Quidato admitted knowledge of the P5-million initial ransom, the police official couldn’t say if the kidnappers received a P15 million ransom, Razon said.
Isnaji arrest backlash belittled
DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno said he is confident the government can handle any backlash from Isnaji’s arrest. The town mayor is a former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrilla.
Puno was reacting to concerns raised by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez regarding “complications” that may result from Isnaji’s arrest.
“The complications that are being talked about will not pose a problem,” Puno said in an interview on radio dzMM.
“It’s true that he is a VIP, an MNLF member and all. For me, those are the very reasons that he should have acted accordingly. He has a responsibility not only for Indanan residents but also for the Muslim residents in southern Philippines,” Puno added.
Senators back Isnaji trial
Senators are in favor of investigating Isnaji for his possible involvement in kidnapping.
“Let the law take its course, let the investigation continue and punish the guilty. But at the same time, the Isnajis must be given a lawyer and a chance to defend themselves,” Legarda said.
Sen. Francis Escudero, for his part, said the investigation must continue even if it means offending certain political groups.
But for Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, evidence against the Isnajis must be airtight or authorities might be accused of harassment.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said he welcomes an investigation of the matter but expressed doubts about the official statement that no ransom was paid.
“If there is anyone who knows if ransom is being paid in incidents like this, it is the kidnappers and the negotiators. Of course, nobody will admit that,” Biazon said.
“All these people who might be participants in this scheme, there is a need for government to investigate this,” Biazon said.
Lawyer, TV crew guide may face probe
Sulu provincial police director Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim said there are indications that a guide tapped by the ABS-CBN team for its rendezvous with Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron was in cahoots with the kidnappers.
Kasim said Juamil “Mameng” Biyaw gave inconsistent information to police investigating the kidnapping.
“No less than the statement of the driver disclosed that Biyaw misled them and the group of Drilon,” Kasim said.
Marine Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said they turned over Biyaw to the CIDG regional office in Zamboanga City.
Dinampo, in an interview with ABS-CBN, also voiced his belief that Biyaw betrayed them.
He said he saw Biyaw join a group of gunmen who stopped the ABS-CBN team.
Meanwhile, Western Mindanao Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director, Senior Superintendent Jose Pante said they are trying to locate lawyer Nasser Inawat to make him explain allegations that he interceded for the release of bags containing cash at the Jolo airport on Tuesday.
Inawat is a former ARMM regional assemblyman and board member of the Sulu Grand Mosque.
The huge amount of cash was reportedly unloaded from a chartered SeaAir plane that flew in from Zamboanga airport. With Jaime Laude, Roel Pareño, Mike Frialde, John Unson, Edith Regalado, Marvin Sy, and Aurea Calica
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59 congressmen joining GMA in USBy Jess Diaz Saturday, June 21, 2008
Their bags are packed and they’re ready to go, and critics smell a junket.
Fifty-nine congressmen, two senators and 10 Cabinet members are reportedly accompanying President Arroyo who leaves tonight for the United States on a 10-day working visit.
A working visit means Philippine taxpayers, not the US government, will foot the bill for the trip.
Mrs. Arroyo, accompanied by her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, will take a chartered Philippine Airlines flight at 10:30 p.m. at the Centennial terminal in Pasay City.
Her two congressmen-sons, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo, together with their respective wives and children, are also joining the US trip.
The two Arroyo congressmen form part of the 59-man House contingent, which is about one-fourth of the 238-members of the House of Representatives.
The group from the House is said to be headed by Speaker Prospero Nograles. This is his first trip with the President since he replaced Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. as House boss last Feb. 4.
Also joining the trip are Representatives Rachel Arenas, Elpidio Barzaga, Amelita Villarosa and Raul del Mar.
The ten Cabinet officials who will also join Mrs. Arroyo’s official entourage are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, acting Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Amando Tetangco will also reportedly go with the group.
Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Richard Gordon will represent the Senate in the presidential party to the US.
Reached for comment, Nograles said he is not in the official list of members of the presidential entourage.
He said he would be going to New York with his wife to visit their doctor-daughter who is working at the Rockefeller University Hospital.
He said he would meet up with Mrs. Arroyo in New York City on June 25.
“Am traveling on my own personal funds. Same with all congressmen. Nothing charged to House, nothing charged to Palace,” he added in a text message.
Asked how many are officially accompanying the President and how many are hangers-on, he said: “I do not really know who will ride same commercial plane with her. But others will probably just follow in Washington DC or New York.”
He said he would be flying to Las Vegas to watch the boxing match of Manny Pacquiao next weekend after meeting up with the President in New York.
A die-hard Pacquiao fan, Nograles has not missed the Filipino boxing champion’s matches in the US.
Several other House members are also expected to watch Pacquiao’s fight.
Reached by The STAR, Cavite Rep. Barzaga said the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office extended the invitation for him to join the presidential trip.
Responding to questions, he said he did not know how many and who among his colleagues have been asked to join Mrs. Arroyo.
“I did not ask who are my companions. I also did not ask nor was told who will shoulder the expenses. They just told me to be prepared to be accommodated in economy and not business class,” he said.
He defended the Palace invitation to congressmen to be part of the President’s visit, saying: “We can help explain the security situation, especially now that the Ces Drilon kidnapping has again tarnished our country’s image abroad.”
This is Barzaga’s first time to join a presidential trip abroad. The Cavite lawmaker belongs to Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the political group Mrs. Arroyo founded in 1997 when she was senator.
Kampi members have become the President’s favorite traveling companions. In the latter part of 2007, a 34-member delegation joined her visits to France, Spain and England.
Deputy Speaker Villarosa, who belongs to Kampi and whose husband would later be acquitted of murdering the two sons of their political opponent, led that group.
That delegation included Mikey and Dato. The Arroyo family had a reunion in Spain.
A few months later, a 15-member Kampi contingent, also led by Villarosa, accompanied the President on her trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
US itinerary
The presidential itinerary in the US will start in San Francisco, California, then Washington D.C. and will end in New York.
Aside from a one-on-one meeting with outgoing US President George W. Bush at the White House on June 24, President Arroyo will also have other top-level meetings in Washington.
Mrs. Arroyo is also scheduled to meet with Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Washington on June 28 while arrangements are being made for a meeting with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on June 24, officials said.
On Sunday, Mrs. Arroyo will proceed to Fresno, California aboard a private plane to visit Filipino health care professionals at the Veterans hospital of the Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center.
From Fresno, the presidential party will take a chartered flight to Washington DC where they are expected to arrive on Sunday night.
Mrs. Arroyo will also meet with World Bank president Robert Zoellick. This is why the BSP governor is part of her entourage.
The President will likewise hold a meeting with Millennium Challenge Corp. chief executive officer, Ambassador John Danilovich.
The STAR gathered that Philippine Embassy officials in Washington are still trying to arrange a possible meeting of Mrs. Arroyo with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who chairs the MCC board where the Philippines is seeking as much as $300 million in grants.
While in the US capital, the President will meet with a “select” group of American senators to formally express her gratitude for their support for the approval of US Senate Bill 1315 or the so-called Equity Bill on the equalization of pension benefits for Filipino veterans during World War II.
Caretaker
During her ten-day absence, Mrs. Arroyo has designated anew Vice President Noli de Castro “to act for and in behalf” of the President.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita will be her official link with the rest of the Cabinet and the government.
“As far as we’re concerned, the political, economic and security situation in the country are normal. We have no reports or information about any planned destabilization. This augurs well for the President’s trip to the US,” Ermita told The STAR.
When the President returns to the country on June 30, she will lead the ceremonial opening to passenger use of the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in the former Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
The President’s chartered PAL flight back to Manila will touch down at the NAIA-3 Terminal where arrival honors will be held. - With Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero
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Comelec may postpone ARMM pollsBy Sheila Crisostomo Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mulling the postponement of the Aug. 11 regional polls in Sulu, citing the security situation stemming from a planned military offensive against Abu Sayyaf extremists.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, however, said this would only be an “extreme measure” if the poll body cannot ensure the integrity of the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“If it goes very bad, we can recommend that to Congress. It is within the power of Comelec to make such recommendation… But we’re going to do that only as an extreme measure,” Jimenez said.
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo earlier expressed concerns over the possible effects of the military operations in the upcoming elections in Sulu and five other provinces under the ARMM.
Melo said the military operations might discourage voters from going out to vote, with other armed groups taking advantage of the situation to sabotage the elections.
Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, who serves as commissioner-in-charge of Sulu, said that so far, there is still no need to postpone the regional polls in Sulu.
“We are closely monitoring the situation there. Preparations are underway and we have not received any report that there is a problem there,” Sarmiento said.
Jimenez, on the other hand, said Comelec could declare a failure of election in case of extremely low voter turnout or if election officials fail to report for duty on election day.
“There’s actually no procedure when the Comelec can say that the election needs to be postponed... We are closely monitoring the situation in ARMM,” Jimenez said.
The military has intensified the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf following the release of ABS-CBN anchor Ces Oreña-Drilon and two others held captive by the bandit group for nine days.
Anti-terror Task Force Comet chief Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban assured the public there would be no spillover of military operations that would affect civilians.
“They are spread out throughout Sulu… we are using special units, small units which can move at night, and target selective areas… this is selective operations which I think is more effective in running after the bandits,” Sabban said.
He said there would be “surgical strikes” against known Abu Sayyaf holdouts to avoid displacing the civilian population.
“The operation has been ongoing. It (is) more on surgical type and targets will be specific,” he said.
Sabban said they have identified the theater of operations indicating the lairs of the bandit group.
“They are in the (target) areas where we suspect these bandits are hiding,” he said.
Sabban revealed the bandits are concentrated in the jungle areas around Patikul town, where some 20 to 50 members of the Abu Sayyaf reportedly held Drilon and her crew captive.
Sabban said intelligence reports indicated lower-ranking members of the bandit group carried out the snatch without their leaders knowing about it.
“From what we have gathered so far, these are minor members of the Abu Sayyaf, the prominent Abu Sayyaf (leaders) apparently are not participants,” he said.
Sulu provincial police director Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, meanwhile, said the police chiefs of 18 towns of Sulu were tasked to monitor the movements of the Abu Sayyaf in their respective areas.
Kasim said they have already identified the target area for police and military operations but refused to elaborate.
At least five Marine battalions and a battalion of Army Scout Ranger troops under the Joint Special Operation Group (JSOG) were mobilized and deployed for the offensive.
Provincial mobile police forces were also deployed to back up the military in the operation.
Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao-Combined (NFWM-C) said the naval forces were tasked to form a blockade around the shorelines of Sulu to prevent the bandits from slipping out of the province.
“We have already put in place all the needed naval assets and conducted the naval blockade around Sulu,” Marayag said.
In most parts of the province, the police and military have jointly established road checkpoints.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Alexander Yano personally went to Sulu to supervise the offensive. -With Roel Pareño, James Mananghaya
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080620140


Pump prices up anew by P1.50By Donnabelle Gatdula Saturday, June 21, 2008
Pump prices are expected to rise anew by P1.50 per liter this weekend as oil firms claimed they still have to recoup under-recoveries from the month of May.
The Department of Energy (DOE), however, said it expects a reduction as it is set to certify another zero tariff on imported petroleum products on July 1, which translates to P1.50 per liter reduction in diesel prices.
Oil company officials said consumers might still have to bear more price increases in the coming weeks, citing the continuing increase in crude prices in the world market.
Oil officials said they would raise their prices every weekend by P1.50 per liter up to July 12 to recover the May costs. This is aside from the possibility of another computation for under-recoveries in the month of June.
Dubai crude, the average being used by oil refiners as a gauge in pricing their products, continued to soar at $126.13 per barrel as of June 20.
This is more than $7 per barrel higher than the May average of $119.50. The level was also a steady increase from April’s average of $103.41 and March’s $96.76 per barrel.
Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), benchmark of oil importers, increased significantly to $139.58 per barrel from May’s $131.13. This is also a substantial jump from $118.08 in April and $109.78 in March.
If they will increase their prices this weekend, the oil firms have already raised their prices 16 times this year.
Oil firms had earlier been requested by the DOE to refrain from announcing their under-recoveries to prevent undue panic among consumers.
The prevailing petroleum prices as of June 14 are unleaded gasoline w/AVSRA, P55.93 – P57.98; unleaded gasoline, P55.26 – P57.07; kerosene, P52.10 – P55.30; diesel, P48.00 – P49.97; and LPG (11 kg), P615.00 – P661.00 per 11-kg cylinder.
Some oil companies have launched products and promotions to help cushion the impact of rising crude prices.
Petron Corp. launched its E-10 Premium, which is priced P2 per liter lower than regular gasoline.
Seaoil Philippines, for its part, issued prepaid gas cards that would peg its premium gasoline at only P53.50.
The promo, however, will last only up to Aug. 22 this year.
Petron recently signified interest to issue similar price lock prepaid gas cards.
Consumers were gratified by the innovative price marketing schemes amid skyrocketing oil prices.
Militant groups, however, vowed to sustain their protest actions against oil price increases.
Protesters led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) staged anew its Friday protest actions.
Bayan said they will make it a “Friday habit” to intensify their protest actions against the oil companies in the coming weeks. – With Katherine Adraneda
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Stop acting as consumer advocate, GSIS chief toldSaturday, June 21, 2008
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has urged Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president Winston Garcia to stop acting as “an instant consumer advocate.”
“If he really has concrete plans on how to lower rates, then he could bring it up with the company’s board which is a collective body and which he is a part of. He likes to announce his ideas through the media instead of the board. His motives are questionable. I don’t think disguising as a ‘consumer advocate’ and playing the role of a ‘savior of the masses’ will do the trick,” Meralco corporate communications officer Jose Zaldarriaga said.
“Perhaps, it would also be to the best interest of all concerned to first find ways to improve the benefits of GSIS retirees and personnel, resolve their problems and give what is due them before convincing the public of the so-called ‘good intentions’ for electricity consumers,” Zaldarriaga said.
He said Garcia is just confusing the customers.
“Last month he said he can lower rates by P3. After a few weeks, it became P2. Yesterday he said it’s P1. Then, he also said before that he is not keen on taking control of Meralco. However, his inconsistent statements are betraying him,” Zaldarriaga said.
Meanwhile, a civic group has urged for a ceasefire against the Court of Appeals for issuing a TRO in favor of Meralco.
Bayani Santos of Tanglaw ng Bayan said the attacks against the appellate court disrespected the country’s legal system all for the sake of takeover moves against Meralco by the GSIS.
Santos said the credibility of the CA was “being sacrificed for the sake of a takeover agenda for the country’s biggest power distribution firm.”
“We respect the right of the GSIS to implement its takeover scheme but we plead that this not be done at the expense of the reputation of the Appellate Court,” the group said. – Donnabelle Gatdula, Rainier Allan Ronda
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Koko files sabotage raps vs former Comelec chief AbalosBy Perseus Echeminada Saturday, June 21, 2008
Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos is back in the spotlight.
This time, the controversial former polls chief and colleagues during his incumbency will be facing electoral sabotage charges – a non-bailable criminal offense – for alleged conspiracy to perpetuate election fraud in the May 2007 national elections.
Defeated senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III announced yesterday that the case is an offshoot of a resolution by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) confirming widespread fraud in the election, particularly in Maguindanao and other areas in Mindanao.
“We will file criminal cases from the chairman down to the members of the local election inspectors,” Pimentel told reporters during the weekly Friday Balitaan sa Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.
SET resolution l07-27 that was unanimously approved by its nine-member board declared that 70,000 out of 72,000 ballots and election returns in six municipalities in Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte were spurious.
The board is composed of Supreme Court justices and senators.
The tribunal, which is deliberating the election protest of Pimentel, declared that based on the result of the initial revision and appreciation of ballots and election returns “the protestant has a prima facie valid cause of action.”
“Indeed, there is reasonable ground to believe that the final outcome of the case could affect the officially proclaimed result of the 12th senatorial position in the May 2007 national election, hence, the election protest deserves further proceedings by the tribunal,” the resolution said.
Pimentel said he would file the criminal complaint against Abalos and other officials in two weeks’ time as the SET continues deliberations on his protest.
Included in the charge sheet are members of the special board of canvassers headed by lawyer Emilio Santos.
The special board of canvassers was created by Abalos to recanvass the controversial Maguindanao votes.
“It’s only a manner of time before the SET will hand down its final verdict,” he said.
Pimentel said the SET declared that 69,000 out of the 72,000 fake ballots were counted in favor of Zubiri.
The SET, finding sufficient cause, has ordered the continuation of the proceedings in the instant electoral protest case.
In response to the counter protest of Zubiri, the canvass board is directed to undertake the necessary preparation for the collection of ballot boxes, election documents and paraphernalia from the pilot areas of the protestee.
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080620145


PNP establishes database for most wanted personsBy Cecille Suerte Felipe Saturday, June 21, 2008
In an effort to speed up the arrest of wanted persons, the Philippine National Police (PNP) established a database of all Most Wanted Persons throughout the country that can be accessed on the Internet.
Dubbed as the Online Most Wanted Person Registry, the database was launched yesterday by the PNP’s Computer Service.
PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. ordered the PNP Computer Service to put together all the most wanted persons of police field investigative and operational units on a nationwide scale.
“This 24-hour online site will be very effective in immediately alerting all police offices throughout the country as well as the public of the possibility that a person in their community is a most wanted person,” said the PNP chief.
Razon said the site includes pictures, vital information of these fugitives and the monetary reward for any information that will lead to their apprehension.
The online gallery of most wanted individuals can be accessed through the PNP website (http://www.pnp.gov.ph) or by visiting the direct link (https://registry.pnp.gov.ph/mwp).
At the top of the online most wanted list is Jose Sarmiento Panlilio alias “Bong,” wanted for robbery and homicide with a P5 million bounty.
Panlilio is the primary suspect in the murder of brothers Ariel Real and Albert Gutierrez on July 15, 2003 in Calamba City, Laguna.
Chief Superintendent Teofilo Melliza Jr., director of the PNP Computer Service Director, said the online registry is part of the PNP Modernization Program that includes innovation in preventing and resolving crimes through information technology.
“The public, specially those with access to the Internet, are encouraged to regularly check the PNP’s Online Most Wanted Person Registry so they can be wary of these criminals and report to the nearest police office any information they have on these fugitives,” said General Melliza.
Melliza, however, could not say how many people were in the most wanted list.
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Arrested mayor is 'fearless,' key MNLF leader
By Michael Lim Ubac, Arlyn dela CruzPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:47:00 06/21/2008
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MANILA, Philippines--The mayor who's the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping of an ABS-CBN news crew is not only a warrior known for being fearless. He is also a stalwart of the Moro National Liberation Front and his arrest could have an impact on the implementation of the 1996 peace deal with the rebels, officials say.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza on Friday described Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji as one of the "key leaders of the MNLF," being a member of its central committee or its so-called "Executive 15."
As a guerrilla fighter, Isnaji held the rank equivalent to a brigadier-general in the Armed Forces, commanding the respect of his peers because of his battlefield victories at the height of the secessionist campaign in Muslim Mindanao.
His most daring exploit was his participation in the bloody attack and burning of Jolo town in 1974, according to Abu Ambri Taddik, a fellow MNLF veteran.
Taddik in an interview described Isnaji as a "fearless and very determined warrior."
Before joining the MNLF in the late 1960s, Isnaji was an ordinary school teacher. The military abuses he saw in Sulu changed him, said Taddik.
"Like many Moro fighters then, Isnaji was a young man crying for justice," he said.
Batch 300
Isnaji belonged to an elite group in the MNLF called Batch 300 that included the present chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Ibrahim Murad.
When the MNLF leadership decided to pursue peace negotiations with the government in 1993, Isnaji was among the first commanders to declare support for the decision of MNLF Chair Nur Misuari.
Isnaji believed it was time for peace. He showed where he stood when he led an ambush of an Abu Sayyaf group that was escaping toward Timbangan in Indanan, Sulu in 1994.
Taddik said that incident was spurred by the kidnapping of American priest Father Clarence Bertelsman, who was abducted from a Catholic church inside Camp Asturias of the Philippine National Police in Jolo by armed men dressed as policemen.
Rescue of priest
The kidnappers turned out to be ASG members led by the late Commander Ghalib Andang, more popularly known as Commander Robot.
"Robot was wounded in the ambush, that's why, when you come right down to it, the ASG is angry with him," Taddik said in Filipino.
The ambush was upon the request of the military as part of confidence-building measures during the exploratory talks between the government and the MNLF.
Isnaji's men rescued the priest and turned him over to the military brigade in Jolo.
When Misuari had a falling out with a number of MNLF commanders over the issues of funds and leadership, Isnaji formed a faction within the Front called the "Isnaji Group."
Isnaji is said to be capable of forming his own group because he was once chief of the Northern Mindanao Command of the MNLF, with 10 provinces under him.
Big setback of peace pact
It was only recently that Isnaji's group was dissolved after the central committee meeting in Pagadian, where Cotabato Mayor Muslimin Sema was elected chair.
Taddik said the arrest of Isnaji--which he said the MNLF leaders condemn as unjustified and the result of politics--would be a setback in the work of the Tripoli Transition Committee involved in the implementation of the 1996 peace accord. Isnaji is key member of the committee.
At a press conference, Dureza described Isnaji as "one of the stalwarts of the (peace accord) review process," which started in Jakarta three weeks ago with the participation of Indonesia.
As a key member of the transition committee, Isnaji is involved in efforts toward the integration of MNLF forces with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"This would be a big setback because Isnaji is respected and well known in Tripoli," Taddik said, adding Isnaji also "enjoys the support of thousands of MNLF followers all over Mindanao."
"In Sulu, he holds the MNLF forces in Indanan and Patikul, so it is not far-fetched that his followers may think of something," Taddik said, again in Filipino. "He has many relatives who are armed. What more his followers."
Candidacy for governor
He said the arrest of Isnaji could also cripple his candidacy for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the August elections.
"So he is a high-ranked MNLF official ... but as we say, rank here or your stature will be immaterial. Evidence will dictate the course of how we will proceed," Dureza said when asked about the impact of the Isnaji case on the peace deal with the MNLF.
Dureza remained optimistic that the Moro group would understand the position of the government in arresting Isnaji and that the case would not derail the ongoing tripartite review of the peace accord.
"We are confident that the MNLF, non-MNLF or ordinary citizens will look at this case based on the evidence, and that they will agree with us that ... this is the normal course of things," Dureza told reporters.
"Due process will be given to him. He might be implicated now, but he will be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law."
Ransom for campaign funds?
"This is something that we can't speculate about in fairness to Mayor Isnaji," Dureza said, refusing comment on claims that Isnaji wanted to use the ransom payment for the release of the ABS-CBN team as campaign funds.
"The evidence that is being presented by the PNP will totally debunk these allegations," Dureza said on claims that the arrest of Isnaji and his son had political reasons. "The evidence is there. The evidence will stand on its own merit ... We have to depend on the assessment of the inquest prosecutor."
Dureza, however, admitted that the current "surgical operations against" the Abu Sayyaf bandits could affect the ARMM elections.
"Armed conflict always disrupts normalcy ... We hope that all of these operations will terminate at the soonest possible time, so that we can start normalizing the affected areas," Dureza said.
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No all-out war in Jolo, says general
By Nikko Dizon, Christine AvendañoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:49:00 06/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Special military units are conducting surgical strikes in select areas in Sulu to hunt down the kidnappers of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her three companions, the commander of the Armed Forces' antiterror unit said Friday.
"We are using special units, small units that can move at night and target select areas," Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban of the Joint Task Force Comet told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo by phone from Jolo, Sulu.
Sabban said there was no massive, all-out operation against the kidnappers, who are believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group. He urged the media to be circumspect in reporting the military offensive and not to portray a picture that Sulu had turned into a war zone.
"In the town proper of Jolo and other municipalities, all the activities are normal," he said.
It was the military and the police who had earlier announced an "all-out offensive" and the use of the government forces' "full might" against the kidnappers.
But Sabban said not all the soldiers belonging to the three Marine battalions and an Army Scout Ranger battalion under his command were participating in the offensive ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (A battalion consists of some 500 officers and soldiers.)
He said his men were spread throughout Sulu, and "not everyone is running after 20 to 50 bandits who could have already splintered into smaller groups."
In Malacañang, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza also went on soft-core mode.
Recorded faces
According to Dureza, the faces of the kidnappers have been recorded--the reason, he said, ongoing pursuit operations in Sulu were "focused on specific targets."
"This is not an all-out war as projected by many," Dureza told reporters.
"It's a surgical operation focused principally on specific targets. I can even say here that even the faces and identities of those involved had been recorded in the course of the incident."
Asked to explain, Dureza said: "From our understanding, there were pictures taken. There are video clips that were probably preserved to be able to determine the identities of the persons involved."
He did not elaborate.
In Zamboanga City, Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the military offensive against the kidnappers of Drilon, her two cameramen and Prof. Octavio Dinampo was launched on Thursday, after the President issued the marching orders.
But Allaga pointed out that even before this offensive, the military had always pursued the Abu Sayyaf.
"That has always been our marching order, and we are still pursuing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf and terrorists, especially the Jemaah Islamiyah and their cohorts," he said.
Prominent Abu not involved
Sabban said the military's surgical strikes were "more effective in running after the bandits."
He said the special military units, which he declined to identify, were already in the jungle and remote areas in Sulu, particularly in Patikul, where the captives were held for nine days.
"They are in the areas that we suspect these bandits are hiding," he said, adding that government troops had yet to encounter armed men there.
Sabban also clarified that Drilon et al. were kidnapped, not in the town of Maimbung, as earlier reported, but on the boundary of Patikul and Indanan.
Citing initial information gathered by the AFP, he said the kidnappers of Drilon et al. were "minor members of the Abu Sayyaf."
"The prominent Abu Sayyaf [members] were apparently not participants," Sabban said.
Asked who among the Abu Sayyaf commanders were operating in the area, he said it could be Radullan Sahiron.
"But there are others. Like I said, we [have been] running after some high-value targets from the Jemaah Islamiyah, as well as the Abu Sayyaf, before the kidnapping," he said.
Dureza reiterated Ms Arroyo's order for the "upscaling of the humanitarian and development offensive" in Sulu "side by side" with the military pursuit operations against the kidnappers.
'Help Sulu'
He said the "Help Sulu" program would be reactivated, and that Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the President's adviser on the peace process, would take charge.
Dureza said the program--which provides for education, health and livelihood projects--was first implemented in Sulu and Basilan last year, in the aftermath of the beheading of military troops there.
"There was a lull [in the implementation of the program]. and the President said we should reactivate it," he said.
Asked whether they expected evacuees, Dureza said residents usually left their homes during military operations and, thus, there was a need for "preemptive" efforts by government agencies.
Esperon said he and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, who is in Manila, would finalize on Monday the implementation of the humanitarian and development offensive in Sulu.
Also attempting to clarify the military operations against the kidnappers, Esperon said what was actually an all-out war was the humanitarian and development offense.
Package
Allaga also said that while combat operation was a fact in any military offensive, the AFP was also using other strategies, including humanitarian work.
"Our military campaign is a package. We [also] go for civil-military operations for the rest of the communities," he said.
Allaga said combat operations were only for "the bad guys."
"Of course we need to establish their identities...and it's our job to do that," he said, adding:
"We are positive of their identities and where they are located."
Allaga issued an assurance that the military offensive against the kidnappers in Sulu would be precise and completed with no collateral damage.
Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon had also announced that at least 300 police officers would join the offensive.
But Temojen Tulawie, provincial chair of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society in Sulu, said he and his colleagues had been talking with police, military and civilian officials to prevent civilian casualties.
Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of the Mindanao People's Caucus, called on authorities to be extra-careful with the military offensive to make sure that civilians would not suffer.
"We fear that innocent civilians in Sulu will again pay the cost of punitive action," Arnado said in Davao City.
She said the only way to prevent civilians from suffering was to call off the military operation and allow regular police work to proceed "in cooperation with the local government units."
"A full-scale military offensive can only mean displacement and armed fighting in the communities and more young orphans who will likely take up arms again," she said.
With reports from Julie S. Alipala and Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080621-143922/No-all-out-war-in-Jolo-says-general

PNP affidavit bolsters 2nd ransom paid
By Alcuin PapaPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:53:00 06/21/2008
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MANILA, Philippines--It's not just P5 million.
Documents from the Philippine National Police obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday bolstered reports that, indeed, another batch of money was paid for the freedom of ABS-CBN senior reporter Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Prof. Octavio Dinampo.
According to an affidavit of Supt. Winnie Quidato, at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon of June 17, Quidato received a phone call from Haider Isnaji, son of Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, informing him that Atty. Nasser Ynawat, a Sulu board member, already had a second batch of ransom money but that it was being intercepted by Sulu police commander Sr. Supt. Julasirim Kasim.
"Jun [Haider's nickname] suggested to me that as representative of the DILG, I must intercede, otherwise something bad might happen to the victims," Quidato said.
Quidato, it was later revealed, posed as a civilian from the Department of Interior and Local Government sent to Sulu to coordinate the negotiations.
Quidato said he "berated" Jun for conducting "secret negotiations" related to the payment of ransom money.
Quidato said he informed the PNP Intelligence Group head, Chief Supt. Rolando Anonuevo, of the developments. Anonuevo said he would coordinate with Kasim.
Quidato then proceeded to the Sulu provincial police headquarters, where he met Ynawat and Mayor Isnaji. Isnaji introduced Ynawat to Quidato as his [the mayor's] lawyer.
The undetermined amount of money was then turned over by Kasim to Isnaji and Ynawat, after which they all proceeded to the residence of Khan Isnaji, a son of the mayor.
"The ransom money was delivered by Jun on the evening of June 17, 2008, escorted by the undersigned, the security escorts of Mayor Isnaji and the members of the Sulu police," Quidato said in his affidavit.
Two duffel bags
Later that night, Drilon and the others were released.
The Inquirer managed to photograph the landing of a SEAIR aircraft at the Jolo airport at around 4 p.m. on June 17. The plane was believed carrying two duffel bags that were then unloaded from the aircraft.
One of the pictures shows Ynawat and Kasim in deep conversation.What did Kasim say?
PNP Chief Director General Avelino Razon said Friday that the police would investigate the landing of the aircraft and the contents of the duffel bags.
Razon said investigators had already asked Kasim about the incident but the PNP chief did not reveal what Kasim said.
Razon also said the police were looking for Ynawat to question him.
The government had stressed it was adhering to a no-ransom policy in dealing with kidnappings.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080621-143923/PNP-affidavit-bolsters-2nd--ransom-paid


Arroyo to meet Bush, McCain, Obama in US
By Juliet Labog-JavellanaPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:55:00 06/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be meeting with rival candidates for the US presidency, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, after she sees President George W. Bush this week in what will be her third visit to the White House since coming to power in 2001.
The campaigns of McCain and Obama have "shown interest" in and confirmed the meeting with Ms Arroyo, said Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., consul general in San Francisco.
"It's a getting-to-know-you type of meeting. She will wish both of them good luck," said Paynor.
It will be Ms Arroyo's first meeting with the two senators, one of whom will succeed Bush after the US presidential elections in November.
The President leaves at 10:30 Saturday night for a 10-day working visit to the US. She made a state visit to the US in May 2003 which Bush reciprocated with a state visit to Manila later that year.
The President, accompanied by her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and a group of Cabinet officials and lawmakers, will be taking a Philippine Airlines commercial flight.
Ms Arroyo will have a full agenda, ranging from issues relating to the long-awaited veterans equity bill for the Filipino World War II veterans, to terrorism, food security, investments, environment, human rights and global and regional security matters.
The President will host a dinner reception for the permanent representatives of the United Nations to promote the candidacy of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for a seat in the 15-member International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, the primary judicial organ of the United Nations.
A lunch meeting with McCain, the presumptive candidate of Bush's Republican Party, is scheduled on June 28 in New York.
There is a "window for a possible meeting" with Obama, the Democratic candidate, on June 25 in Washington DC, said Paynor.
"This is an opportunity for the President to meet them personally. In this age of high technology, there is no substitute for personal meetings," he said in a phone interview from San Francisco.
Paynor said Ms Arroyo will take the opportunity to inform the two candidates of the mutuality of interest between the Philippines and the US.
He did not see anything wrong with the President meeting McCain and Obama ahead of the presidential elections. He said this was something that is done by every head of state or government.
It is in the best interest of the Philippines for the President to meet with both candidates who are senior leaders in their own right, he said.
But before meeting with McCain and Obama, Ms Arroyo will have a two-hour meeting at the Oval Office with Bush on June 24.
Malacañang said in a statement that the meeting would focus on global issues of common concern to the two countries, including terrorism, food security, nuclear nonproliferation and human rights.
The White House meeting could be seen as the last between two outgoing "lame-duck" Presidents. Bush bows out of office in January 2009 and Ms Arroyo in 2010. Like Ms Arroyo who survived a number of impeachment attempts, Bush's impeachment is being sought by a number of US legislators because of the US' unpopular war against Iraq.
Paynor sees nothing wrong with the timing of the President's visit.
"It doesn't matter. He [Bush] is still the President," he said. Besides, he said the US presidency is "institutionalized."
Ms Arroyo is expected to thank Bush for his support for the Filipino war veterans and "express her hope for a favorable resolution of the remaining issues relating" to their bid for additional benefits from the US.
She will also thank the US Senate for its "historic" 96 to 1 vote in favor of the veterans equity bill giving pension benefits to about 18,000 Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American soldiers during World War II. Similar legislation is also awaiting passage in the US House of Representatives.
Business and investment is also a big item in the President's agenda. The Asean-US Business Council and the United States Chamber of Commerce are hosting a dinner in her honor. She will also be visiting the New York Stock Exchange.
Among the business leaders and investment groups that the President will be meeting are Bob Rubin of Citigroup, Libby's Fruits, Target Sourcing, Rotec Technology and Apac Customer Services.
She will also meet with the world's richest man, Warren Buffett, head of the Berkshire Hathaway Corp. whose net worth is placed at $62 billion.
The President's US visit comes just days after broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and her three companions were released after being held for nine days by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.
The Abu Sayyaf, which is alleged to have links with the al-Qaeda international terror network and the regional Jemaah Islamiyah, has been a major concern of the US, which maintains presence in Mindanao through soldiers deployed for joint war games and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of defense and economic assistance.
After her meeting with Bush, Ms Arroyo will meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon to discuss the Philippine defense reform program. She is also meeting with the US agriculture secretary as well as Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, a former ambassador to the Philippines.
Ms Arroyo will meet with the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus, a group of US congressional members supporting moves to strengthen relations between the two countries. A meeting with Sen. Barbara Boxer is also scheduled.
She is meeting as well with officials of the Washington-based Millennium Challenge Corp., the US government corporation designed to work with some of the world's poorest countries to reduce global poverty. It selects eligible countries for "compact assistance" based on their performance on policy indicators.
The MCC last March granted the Philippines "compact eligible status," paving the way for the country to avail of up to $700 million in grants, after it passed the test of "governing justly, investing in its citizens and encouraging economic freedom."
In Washington, Ms Arroyo will meet with the Coral Triangle Initiative, a multination effort promoting projects in the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries.
Ms Arroyo will also meet with the Filipino communities in the cities that she will visit. In Fresno, she will meet with Filipino caregivers and attend Mass with the Filipino community there.
She is expected to return to Manila on the morning of June 30.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080621-143925/Arroyo-to-meet-Bush-McCain-Obama-in-US


UN urges RP youth: Plant a tree every year
By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:01:00 06/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines--A high-level United Nations official on biodiversity called on the Filipino youth Friday to ride "the green wave" and take part in global efforts to protect all life on earth as the world counts down to 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.
Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), also called on more Asian leaders to agree to a plan to end deforestation by 2020 to slow down the destruction of plants and animals.
Djoghlaf called on Filipino school children to plant a tree every year on May 22, the International Day for Biodiversity, and join the billion-signature campaign to protect the global ecosystem.
"All schools of the world will be planting trees at 10 a.m. every 22nd of May of every year. A tree is the most beautiful symbol of nature. It provides enough oxygen for a family of five," he said.
About 80 percent of the world's known biodiversity could be found in forests, where about 1.6 billion people also depend for their survival, Djoghlaf told a news conference at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City Friday.
Doable
"The project to stop deforestation by 2020 is feasible, it's doable," he added.
The UN official said the world was losing around 13 million hectares of its forest cover every year, about the size of 36 football fields a minute. About 95 countries have totally lost their forests, he added.
Launched by the CBD secretariat in a biodiversity summit in Bonn, Germany last month, the Green Wave is "a multi-year tree-planting campaign" that engages children and students around the world to plant important tree species in their campuses, said the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB).
The ACB called the Green Wave a "fun and exciting way... for children and the youth to make a difference one step at a time."
"We hope all schools in the Philippines will take part in this and unite the new generation to bring nature into schools," Djoghlaf said.
He also encouraged Filipinos to sign up online in a campaign for a billion signatures to support the green wave. The document will be presented before world leaders attending the 2010 Conference of Partners (COP) of CBD's 191 signing countries in Nagoya, Japan.
The event is expected to bring heads of states together in drafting a goal for the protection of the world's plant and marine species in the coming decades, among them a goal for "zero net deforestation by 2020," said Djoghlaf.
"What is lost in the Philippines, what is lost in the Asean is lost for the world. One square meter of tropical forest in the Philippines, or Indonesia, or Malaysia has the biodiversity of the entire United Kingdom," said the UN official, emphasizing the importance of the country's natural habitat.
ACB Executive Director Rodrigo Fuentes also said the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia were among the world's top "megadiverse" countries. At the same time, the three Asean nations were also among 25 biodiversity hotspots or places at risk of species loss.
Fuentes said Southeast Asia could "have three-fourths less forest cover and 42 percent less biodiversity by 2010" at the current rate of logging, forest fires and problematic land use, among others.
Djoghlaf said forest fires destroyed about 10 million hectares in Southeast Asia between 1997 and 2006.
Today, more trees are being felled due to shifting agricultural practices, illegal lumber trade and large-scale mining.
Global warming and climate change are environmental phenomena intertwined with the world's decreasing biodiversity, according to the UN official.
"The loss of biodiversity is making climate change more complicated... The melting of glaciers liberated tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide). Because of [this], icebergs, the poles in general, oceanic composition will change... There will be more fresh water than marine water," Djoghlaf said, explaining the risks that climate change poses on the planet's marine and plant life.
With a report from Reuters
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080621-143928/UN-urges-RP-youth-Plant-a-tree-every-year