Agbimuddin alive despite assault

 News
Mar 132013
 
Agbimuddin alive despite assault

1:14 pm | Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 The heirs of the Sultan of Sulu: (seated from left) Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Sultan Bantilan Esmail Kiram II and (standing from left) Datu Alianapia Kiram, Datu Phugdal Kiram and Datu Baduruddin Kiram. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO LAHAD DATU, Sabah, Malaysia—Malaysian authorities said Wednesday Sulu “royal army” leader Agbimuddin Kiram remains in Malaysia, practically confirming that the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is alive. “Malaysian security forces are highly confident he is still here because as a leader [he] must not run. He will not run and leave his people by themselves here. He must lead them,” Sabah State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said at a news conference on Wednesday. Hamza said those killed and captured in target areas in the week-long assault on followers of the Sultanate of Sulu were considered “terrorists.” “I cannot positively say if they are foreigners. To me they are terrorists because they are within the target area,” Hamza said when asked about the identity of the  teenager who was shot dead in a village in Felda Sahabat over the weekend. Hamza said these people’s lack of documents prevented the authorities from establishing their identities and nationalities. He said operations were continuing in Kampung Tanduo although security forces have already cleared the area of Agbimuddin’s men. The clearing operations have expanded to Sungai Nyamuk, Kampung Tanjung Batu, and Sungai Bilis where security forces were to be sent to retrieve the bodies of the Read More …

Misuari faces NBI grilling over alleged involvement in Sabah dispute

 News
Mar 122013
 
Misuari faces NBI grilling over alleged involvement in Sabah dispute

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 12:47 pm | Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will send agents in Mindanao to question former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Nur Misuari on his alleged involvement in the Sabah dispute. Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari AP Misuari, along with former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Pastor Boy Saycon and Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his family have been summoned by the NBI. The NBI, along with the Philippine National Police, is determining possible liability of the Kirams for sending their “royal army” to Sabah. The NBI is also identifying alleged financiers and conspirators of the Kiram family. Misuari already said he cannot go to Manila because he is busy preparing for the 45th anniversary of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). NBI deputy director Reynaldo Esmeralda said it is important that the NBI talk to Misuari. The NBI had already sent subpoena to the MNLF chair. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Global Nation , Norberto Gonzales , Nur Misuari , Pastor Boy Saycon , Sabah claim , Sabah standoff , Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Read More …

AFP confirms scheduled release of Filipino peacekeepers

 News
Mar 082013
 
AFP confirms scheduled release of Filipino peacekeepers

By Tetch Torres-Tupas INQUIRER.net; Radyo Inquirer 2:42 pm | Friday, March 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed Friday a CNN report saying the 21 UN Filipino peacekeepers were set to be freed by the Syrian rebels on Friday. Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos confirmed the television report when interviewed by Radio Inquirer 990AM. The soldiers, part of a 333-strong Filipino peacekeeping unit, were detained at a rebel observation point on Wednesday by gunmen who said the troops would be held until Syrian regime forces pulled back from a Golan village. “If ever they will be released within the day, they will be turned over to the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Burgos said, citing reports from their personnel in Golan Heights. He said the rebels agreed to that arrangement. A UN Disengagement Force has been monitoring a ceasefire between Syria and Israel since 1974. The United Nations has reported a growing number of incidents in the Golan over the past year. It has sent extra armored vehicles and communications equipment to reinforce security for the mission. Up to the end of February there were about 1,000 troops from Austria, Croatia, India and the Philippines operating in the ceasefire force. With Agence France-Presse

Philippines says Syrian rebels firm on hostage demands

 News
Mar 082013
 
Philippines says Syrian rebels firm on hostage demands

Agence France-Presse 2:14 pm | Friday, March 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that rebels who are holding 21 Filipino peacekeepers hostage in the Golan Heights are insisting Syrian troops leave the area before releasing their captives. The refusal by the Syrian rebels to compromise had dampened hopes of the UN peacekeepers being released quickly, and forced the government to step up its negotiation efforts, foreign affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said. “The demand of the rebels for the re-positioning of Syrian forces in the area of Jamla is still outstanding so this is still being worked out,” he said on ABS-CBN television. The rebels want the Syrian troops to move 20 kilometers (12 miles) back from Jamla, an area in the Golan’s ceasefire zone, before they will free the Filipinos, he said. “That is the main demand of the rebel group,” he told AFP, adding he did not know of any other conditions. The Philippine government had previously received information that raised hopes the 21 would be released on Friday morning, Philippine time, and the government now did not know if or when they would be freed, Hernandez said. “We are trying to intensify our negotiations with the rebel groups,” he said. However he said the Filipino peacekeepers were still being treated well. “(They are) being treated as guests and are unharmed,” Hernandez said. The 21 Filipino troops, members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) observing a 1974 ceasefire between Syria and Israel, were abducted Read More …

Sabah ownership issue between Sulu sultanate and Malaysia only — Kiram's daughter

 News
Mar 072013
 
Sabah ownership issue between Sulu sultanate and Malaysia only — Kiram's daughter

Sultan Kiram III declares unilateral ceasefire in Sabah. At a press conference in Taguig City on Thursday, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III (center) gets teary-eyed as he thanked the United Nations and the media for their support. The sultan declared a unilateral ceasefire in Sabah where at least 40 lives have been lost. He also ordered his followers to initiate evasive and defensive posture against Malaysian forces. Sherie Ann Torres The daughter of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Friday said negotiations regarding the ownership of Sabah should be between their sultanate and Malaysia only, virtually excluding the Philippine government. In an interview on GMA News’ “Unang Hirit,” Princess Jacel Kiram said the resolution authorizing the Philippine government to represent the sultanate in the territorial dispute has already “lapsed.” “Nag-lapse na po ito. Nakalagay po ‘dun sa kasulatan na in 20 years time, kung wala pong nagawa ang gobyerno… may expiration ‘yung authority. So back to the Sultanate of Sulu na ulit,” she said. The resolution — passed by the sultanate’s council of advisers during the time of Sultan Esmail Kiram I and the late President Diosdado Macapagal — effectively authorized the Philippine government to represent the sultanate in the dispute. The resolution also stated that should the government fail to act on the claim on a given period, its authority will be revoked and the Sulu sultanate may retain their sovereign rights to prosecute their claim on Sabah. “Ang isyu nga po dito is about Sabah, dapat talaga ang Read More …

Ferdinand Marcos’ mortician offers to embalm Chavez

 News
Mar 072013
 
Ferdinand Marcos’ mortician offers to embalm Chavez

Agence France-Presse 1:25 pm | Friday, March 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The mortician famous for putting dead dictator Ferdinand Marcos into a glass display case offered his services Friday to the deceased Hugo Chavez, whom Venezuela wants embalmed “like Lenin”. Manila-based embalmer to the stars Frank Malabed stressed experts must act quickly if they wanted to successfully preserve the Venezuelan president, who died on Tuesday from cancer. “I have not been contacted for it but I am always expecting a call. I will process anyone, anywhere,” Malabed, 62, told AFP. He said the methods employed would depend on the condition of the corpse of Chavez, who his successor said on Thursday would be preserved “for eternity”. “What is important is they must not delay (choosing an embalmer). The longer they delay it, the more difficult it would be,” Malabed said. While Venezuelan authorities said they wanted Chavez embalmed “like Lenin”, Malabed said he would not use the same techniques as those employed for the Soviet revolutionary leader. “I was told they preserved Lenin using resin. It’s like making a block of ice. You have a box, you pour water on it and freeze it. If I were asked to do it (embalm Chavez), I would do it differently,” he said. Malabed detailed some chemicals that would need to be used. “You need to inject fluid into the arteries after draining blood from the veins. You use a hypodermic needle for that. Then you replenish it regularly. It has to be checked Read More …

Ferdinand Marcos' mortician offers to embalm late Venezuelan ruler Hugo Chavez

 News
Mar 072013
 
Ferdinand Marcos' mortician offers to embalm late Venezuelan ruler Hugo Chavez

Remains of Venezuela ruler to be preserved for ‘eternity’ . Adan Chavez (2nd left), brother of the late Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, his mother Elena Frias (4th left), and father Hugo, view the remains of the Venezuelan ruler during a wake at the military academy in Caracas on Thursday. The late ruler will be embalmed and put on display ‘for eternity’ at a military museum after a state funeral and an extended period of lying-in-state, acting President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday. Reuters/Miraflores Palace A Philippine mortician famous for putting dead dictator Ferdinand Marcos into a glass display case offered his services Friday to the deceased Hugo Chavez, whom Venezuela wants embalmed “like Lenin”. Manila-based embalmer to the stars Frank Malabed stressed experts must act quickly if they wanted to successfully preserve the Venezuelan president, who died on Tuesday from cancer. “I have not been contacted for it but I am always expecting a call. I will process anyone, anywhere,” Malabed, 62, told AFP. He said the methods employed would depend on the condition of the corpse of Chavez, who his successor said on Thursday would be preserved “for eternity”. “What is important is they must not delay (choosing an embalmer). The longer they delay it, the more difficult it would be,” Malabed said. While Venezuelan authorities said they wanted Chavez embalmed “like Lenin”, Malabed said he would not use the same techniques as those employed for the Soviet revolutionary leader. “I was told they preserved Lenin using resin. It’s Read More …

DOTC: Two domestic flights canceled due to bad weather

 News
Mar 072013
 
DOTC: Two domestic flights canceled due to bad weather

At least two domestic flights were canceled Friday due to bad weather conditions, the Department of Transportation and Communications said. In a post on its Twitter account, the DOTC indicated the affected flights both belonged to carrier Air Philippines. The canceled flights are 2P-030 Catarman to Manila, 2P-022: Masbate to Manila. Earlier, PAGASA forecast cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over Bicol and Eastern Visayas. It also said Mindanao and the rest of Visayas would be cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms. But it said Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon would be “partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.” — LBG, GMA News

Navy intercepts 2 boats from Sabah

 News
Mar 072013
 
Navy intercepts 2 boats from Sabah

By Julie S. AlipalaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:24 pm | Friday, March 8th, 2013 ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Navy Capt. Rene Yongque of Task Force 62 in Tawi-Tawi confirmed to the Inquirer that a Navy patrol boat has intercepted two motorboats loaded with some 80 people entering the Philippine waters from Sabah. Yongque said Navy personnel aboard patrol ship Auxiliary Transport AT 291  spotted the two moto rlaunches around 9 a.m. Friday and were now escorting the boats  to Bongao in Tawi-Tawi. Yongque said those intercepted were Filipinos fleeing the Sabah violence and were not followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. “They will immediately be turned over to the Task Force Basulta on Sabah Crisis for processing. I repeat, they are not armed nor they are followers of Kiram.They are just ordinary people.” he said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: navy , Navy Capt. Rene Yongque , Sabah Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

Sulu group leader Azzimudie’s fate still unknown

 News
Mar 072013
 
Sulu group leader Azzimudie’s fate still unknown

The Star-Asia News Network 11:57 am | Friday, March 8th, 2013 Malaysian troops in the mopping up and search operations in Tanduo village/The Star-Asia News Network LAHAD DATU– The fate of Sulu armed group leader Azzimudie Kiram remains unknown as Malaysian elite military and police teams enter into the final stage of search and mopping up operations at Kampung Tanduo and Kampung Tanjung Batu near here Friday. Azzimudie, the brother of self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, has failed to contact the Kiram family in Manila for the past two days and security forces expect to know what happened to him in a day or two. The so-called Royal Sulu Army general identified as Haji Musa was among the some 30 gunmen killed in a shootout at Kampung Tanjung Batu on Wednesday. Azzimudie and his trusted commanders were believed to be among those who slipped out of Kampung Tanduo on Sunday, two days before aerial and artillery bombardment began on Tuesday. Azzimudie told The Star over the telephone Wednesday that one of his sons was with him in Tanduo along with 200 to 300 of his followers, including six women. Malaysian security forces launched an all-out offensive against the intruders on Tuesday, after a stand-off that began on Feb 9. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun Read More …

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