Current News for the WeekFebruary 6, 2012UP student stabbed inside Diliman campusby SecurityMatters. Published on February 2, 2012

A University of the Philippines student was attacked inside the Diliman campus in Quezon City Wednesday (February 1).

Lordei Camille Hina, a fourth year Political Science student, was initially with a friend inside the University Student Council (USC) office at Vinzons Hall when two suspects went in the office.

The perpetrators claimed they were tattoo artists and inquired about renting a booth in the upcoming University fair. They waited until Hina was alone in the office, a couple of hours after the lunch break, after which they announced a robbery, hitting Hina in the head with a hard object.

The robbers also stabbed her in the face and carted away two computer laptops before fleeing on foot.

Quick-thinking security guard Gerry Docto, who was outside the Vinzons Hall, saw suspect Carlo Pecayo with a full backpack. He tried to question him. When Pecayo ran and hailed a taxi cab, Docto took down the taxi’s plate number.

Docto immediately reported the incident to the UP Diliman Police and to his colleagues. Roving guards intercepted the taxi along Guerrero Street in front of Asian Center.

The suspect was turned over to the UP Diliman Police, who said they found an ice pick and laptops inside Pecayo’s backpack.

Meanwhile, a bloodied Hina was found lying on the floor inside the USC office unable to move and speak. The room was also found in total disarray, signifying Hina struggled with the suspects.

Hina, the secretary-general of UP student organization Center for Nationalist Studies (CNS), remains critical at the Capitol Medical Center. UP officials visited her but declined to issue an official statement.

The UP Diliman Police said a certain Dante Santos is believed to be Pecayo’s accomplice.

The Philippine Collegian, in a report, said that Hina was with a friend inside the USC office when the two suspects arrived to inquire.

According to the student publication, the two suspects left after being given the phone number of the one in charge of the booths. Pecayo, however, came back at around 2 p.m., saying he would just wait outside the USC office for the booths’ officer-in-charge.

At around 2:30 p.m., Hina’s companion went downstairs to buy food. After 30 minutes, Hina’s friend began receiving text messages from Hina, saying Pecayo was in the USC office again, asking questions.

Hina’s friend returned at around 3:30 p.m. but found the office locked. When she was able to get inside the office after borrowing a key from another friend, she saw Hina sprawled on the floor, her face and upper body bloodied.

Hina’s friend and other students helped to bring Hina to the UP Health Service, the Philippine Collegian said.

 Chinoy killed inside his laundry shopby SecurityMatters. Published on February 2, 2012

The family of the Filipino-Chinese businessman killed by robbers inside his laundry shop in Sta. Cruz Manila before dawn last January 31 has vowed to attain justice for their slain kin.

The Chioa family announced that the body of Kelvin Chioa lies in state at Sanctuarium, Araneta Avenue. His remains will be cremated on Monday (February 6) at 9 a.m.

“This is one tragic moment for the family and it breaks everyone’s heart. But despite the pain, we are very lucky and grateful to have friends helping us solve the case,” a member of the family said, adding, “we will never give up fighting for justice.”

Last Tuesday, four robbers knocked at Chioa’s Bull Eye Laundry Shop along Yakal Street in Manila before dawn. Chioa’s employees, who were sleeping at the ground floor, asked them what they wanted.

The men initially told the employees they were sent to fix one of the washing machines. When the employees refused to open the door, the suspects told them they would return later but asked if they could leave their bags behind.

As the workers were opening the door, the suspects pushed their way into the shop. The suspects herded Jane Macaraig, Jenny Rose Puno and Wilson Clores near the bathroom, tying their hands and gagging them with packing tapes.

The robbers searched through the shop’s drawers then went up to the second floor, where the owners’ rooms are located. They went to the boy’s bedroom where nanny Maricel Livrando, was also sleeping. Livrando screamed for help and tried to protect the child as the robbers attacked her.

Chioa, who heard Livrando’s screams, came to her defense but was repeatedly stabbed. He bore at least 12 stab wounds in his face and body.

Charlene, who went to her husband’s aid, was also stabbed. She, along with Livrandro were later brought to the Metropolitan Hospital.

The robbers took Chioa’s four-year-old son, but later left the child in his father’s car at the corner of Tomas Mapua and Alvarez streets, where passersby found the boy wandering, clad in a bloodstained shirt.

Two employees, Puno and Clores, said they were able to break free and ask for help.

The police are now questioning the employees for leads. Chioa also ran three more laundry shop branches in the Binondo, Alvarez and Bambang areas.

House passes bill establishing sea lanes in Philippine watersby SecurityMatters. Published on February 3, 2012

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill establishing sea lanes in Philippine archipelagic waters.

House Bill 4153, authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., amends Republic Act 9522 or the Philippine Baseline Law by prescribing the rights and obligations of foreign ships and aircraft exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage through the established Philippine archipelagic sea lanes and providing for the associated protective measures.

Under the bill, foreign ships and aircraft, exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage, should pass through or above the sea lane as quickly as possible in the normal mode solely for the purpose of continuous, expeditious and unobstructed transit.

The bill says foreign ships should refrain from making covert transmissions, interfering with telecommunications systems and communicating directly with an unauthorized person or group of persons in Philippine territory.

Foreign ships and aircraft may exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to sail or fly from one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone to another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone through or over the Philippine territorial sea and its archipelagic waters.

Belmonte said the measure also provides for the geographic coordinates designating the sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircrafts through or over its archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea.

“The archipelagic sea lane axes and connecting points shall be marked on navigation charts for appropriate publication,” Belmonte said.

The bill requires foreign ships/aircraft exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage to refrain from expelling oil, wastes or other noxious substances into Philippine waters, among others.

Foreign ships shall also refrain from stopping, dropping anchor or loitering, with the exception of a situation of force majeure or to render assistance to a person or a ship in time of disaster.

The bill also prohibits foreign fishing ships from conducting fishing operations; and foreign military aircraft and warships from using any type of weapons and ammunition for any war game exercises.

Moreover, the bill mandates foreign civil aircraft to observe the Rules of the Air established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concerning flight safety.

The flag State shall bear international responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by the Philippines as a result of non-compliance with provisions by a foreign warship or aircraft while exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage.

“All rules and regulations relating to Associated Protective Measures (APMs) to be prescribed in accordance with the Conventions and Regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within areas along the archipelagic sea lanes shall be promulgated separately through an Executive Issuance,” Belmonte said.

The bill is co-authored by Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II (Lone District, Mandaluyong City) and Rep. Al Francis Bichara (2nd District, Albay).

2 Europeans kidnapped in Tawi-tawiby SecurityMatters. Published on February 3, 2012

Five gunmen seized two European tourists and a Filipino photographer who were bird watching in Tawi-tawi last Wednesday (February 1).

Fifty-two year-old Ewold Horn from The Netherlands and forty-seven year-old Lorenzo Vinciguerre from Switzerland were taking pictures of rare birds with Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas while onboard a motorized boat off Sitio Luuk-Luuk in Barangay Parangan in Panglima Sugala town.

At around 2 in the afternoon, five gunmen aboard another motorized boat arrived, seizing the two foreigners and Sarenas at gunpoint.

A unarmed policeman and a village councilor who were escorting the tourists failed to stop the gunmen.

As the gunmen were circling the island, Filipino guide Sarenas managed to escape by jumping off the boat and diving deep into the sea. Nearby fishermen helped him while residents hid him in the island while waiting for the police to come.

Malacanang said the Tawi-Tawi crisis management committee was immediately activated with Gov. Sadikul Sahali in charge of resolving the kidnapping case. Governor Sahali will oversee all of the police and military operations.

“Joint elements of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Navy, and Philippine Marines are now conducting search operations. For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs has notified the embassies of the nationals concerned, and will keep them abreast of all relevant information and updates on the situation,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte likewise advised tourists visiting the country to inquire with the Department of Foreign Affairs or their own embassies, regarding advisories on conditions that may affect their travel plans.

In an interview over dzMM, Sarenas said he has been to Tawi-tawi four times already. The third time was two weeks ago when he went with two other foreigners.

Sarenas, in the interview, said he met one of the foreigners through the Internet. “One of them emailed me several times about wanting to go to Tawi-Tawi because he wanted to see a hornbill. We have a common friend from Thailand who said I should guide him. I thought of it as a way of promoting the tourism potential on Tawi-Tawi,” Sarenas said.

Sarenas said he tried to talk to the gunmen by asking in Tagalog where they were headed. They asked him why was he asking. He told them that their feet hurt.

“Binalik kami sa Bongao but when it made a loop turn pa-north alam ko na pa-Jolo na ito so I got really scared for my life. Pero all the time, iniikutan lang namin ‘yung island ng Tawi-Tawi,” Sarenas reportedly said.

“Before I jumped, nagpaalam ako. They agreed. They wished me luck. May details pa na ‘di ko pa na kailangan i-share. May opportunity. May lantsa na malapit, mga 700 meters kaya naisip ko ‘di sila magpapaputok kapag may malaking boat na malapit sa kanila kasi mahuhuli sila. At hindi naman ako importante sa kanila eh. Medyo sugal talaga, may fishermen rin naman doon. Siguro 2 kilometers away from the shore. Dagat kami the whole time ng abduction,” Sarenas was quoted.

15 terrorists killed in air raidby SecurityMatters. Published on February 3, 2012

The Philippine military has claimed it killed three senior leaders of the Jemaah Islamiyah and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandit group and 12 of their followers in an air strike early Wednesday in Sulu.

Authorities said among those killed in the air strike launched about 3 a.m. were Jemaah Islamiyah leaders Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, a certain Mawiyah, and Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu, a senior Abu Sayyaf leader.

Malacanang immediately commended the military. “We commend the AFP with this victory in the continuing fight against terrorism,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

SecurityMatters maintains that it is premature to declare a victory against terrorists in the province as lone military offensives against terrorists group have proven futile in the past. The military should take note of the latest kidnapping of two Europeans in Tawi-tawi. A Filipino photographer, who was among those initially kidnapped but escaped by jumping off the boat, said the kidnappers appeared to be on their way to Jolo.

While no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, small criminals groups in the area have been known to ‘sell’ their captives to other bigger groups such as the Abu Sayyaf. The latest kidnapping of foreigners crosses out whatever the national government has declared as victory.

SecurityMatters regards the capture of these terrorists and the eventual cease of all forms of terrorism in the area as the truest form of victory. Western governments are expected to consider the latest development in their travel advisories.

PROTECT 2012: Doing Business Amidst New Threats, Series 7 April 25-26, 2012, Peninsula Hotel, Makati, Philippinesby SecurityMatters. Published on February 3, 2012

Event Website: http://protect.leverageinternational.com/

Conceptualized in 2005 in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Task Force following the New York 9-11 terrorist attack, the objective of the Protect series is to develop a strategic partnership between government and the private sector to manage possible business disruptions arising from terrorist attacks.

Over the years, the series has evolved to cover all types of risks to business. The 2012 series has for its theme:  “Security for Tomorrow’s World: Risks and Emergency Management.”  It focuses on natural disasters and cyber security.

The conference brings together the 2 major teams in any emergency situation:  the strategic team and the tactical group.  Plenary sessions will gather the groups together for an understanding of how they would interact in an emergency situation. Break-out sessions would focus on their specific roles.

The conference is the occasion for executives and specialists to share knowledge and insights from international and local experts on new risks to their business and how to manage them.

The exhibition is the platform for service providers and equipment suppliers to share their solutions to those responsible for security in their respective fields.

US visa fraud syndicate bustedby Dennis Joseph Acop. Published on February 6, 2012

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has busted a criminal syndicate engaged in illegal recruitment and visa fraud, arresting at least 20 suspects and seizing computers, various passports and other accessories used for the crime.

CIDG chief Police Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. said the CIDG’s Anti-Transnational and Cyber Crime Division (ATCCD) undertook an entrapment last February 1 at the office of United Star Alliance Consultancy and Immigration Service (USA-CIS) located at Room 803 of the Pearl of the Orient Building along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila.

The raid stemmed from the request of the United States Embassy in Manila through its Overseas Criminal Investigation Office. Officials at the embassy said the immigration consultancy firm has been providing fake documents such as bank books, bank certifications, taxes of documents, deeds of sale and certificates of real properties and business registrations to US visa applicants.

Thus, the ATCCD operatives secured two search warrants against Manual Inocencio, 47, the company’s chief accounting staff. Catherine Yarra and three other complainants cooperated in the operation with Yarra handing Inocencio the marked money at the USA-CIS office. Sosa said that Inocencio lures victims to work as caregivers in the US with a promised salary ranging from US$1,200 to US$3,000 monthly. Following his arrest, ATCCD operatives served warrants and searched the offices of USA-CIS at the 8th and 26th floors of the building where other members of the group were arrested and materials for the production of fraudulent documents were confiscated.

Further investigation revealed the USA-CIS is also recruiting Filipino visa applicants for caregiving jobs to unknown care homes in various areas in the United States. The syndicate charges their clients approximately PhP50,000 to PhP100,000 as initial payment for their orientation, coaching, and forged documents.

An additional payment of PhP85,000 to PhP100,000 is also charged as success fees when clients get their visas. Investigations also revealed the USA-CIS has been engaging in illegal recruitment and visa fraud since year 2006 using various company names. Under its present name, officials from the US embassy have recorded more than 190 visa applicants who have been deluded by the syndicate.

Pagdilao identified the arrested suspects as General Manager Anna Liza Samson, Ronaldo B. Geronimo, Reynaldo Villanueva, Cris Llewellyn Gacayan, Aldrin P. Guevarra Jr., Leilanie G. Rafael, Rose Ann

Bautista, Reina Angeline R. Geronimo, Florinda M. Jana, Maria Cristina G. Cruz, Maria Cristina L. Reyes, Melanie Domingo, Rosalinda S. Kalinga, Niccalyn R. Robles, Maria Elena D.C. Gaddi, Nannete F. Benedicto, Juddie M. Osorio, and Manuel Inocencio. Along with the arrested individuals were the confiscated 22 units of computers, assorted documents used by the group in their illegal recruitment activities and assorted passports of their applicants for visa processing.

The suspects will be charged with non-bailable cases for large-scale and syndicated illegal recruitment, large scale and syndicated estafa and numberous counts of fraud. Pagdilao warned the public to be more observant in choosing immigration consultancy firms in order not to fall prey to such groups that take advantage on the urge of individuals to find promising jobs overseas. Pagdilao added that aspiring migrants must also be aware of the consequences that will befall them when they are caught with fraudulent and counterfeit documents abroad.

Suspect in Chinoy murder clearedby Dennis Joseph Acop. Published on February 6, 2012

Police on Monday (February 6) cleared one of the suspects in the gruesome murder-robbery of Filipino-Chinese businessman Kelvin Chioa.

SPO2 Virgo Villareal of Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section said Richard ‘Ricky’ Oja, 22, has been cleared and released after witnesses failed to identify him as one of the three suspects.

According to Villareal, witnesses examined Oja for approximately 30 minutes to see if he was one of those who forcibly entered the Bull’s Eye Laundry Shop along Yakal St. in Manila last January 31.

Oja, who was in Naga City when he surrendered to authorities, said he wanted to clear his name after hearing in the news that he was one of the suspects. Oja told the police that he’s in Naga City since December to vacation.

Upon orders of Police Supt. Jemar Modequillo, station 2 commander of the Manila Police District, SPO2 Adolfo Agustin and PO2 Christopher Cruz fetched Oja from Naga City.

There are two suspects being held at the MPD headquarters. George Padios, 28, and Noel Nuylan, 41, were identified by witnesses as among the robbers. Both were employees of the victim. Padios as one of the family’s drivers and Nuylan was the shop’s aircon technician.

Robbers barged their way in at Chioa’s Bull Eye Laundry Shop before dawn last January 31. The robbers stabbed Chioa twelve times in his face and body. They also attacked his wife Charlene Chioa and nanny Maricel Livrando. They also abducted Chioa’s four-year-old son but later left the child in a nearby area.

Chioa also ran three more laundry shop branches in the Binondo, Alvarez and Bambang areas.

Magnitude 6.8 tremor felt in Visayasby SecurityMatters. Published on February 6, 2012

The United States Geological Survey has recorded a magnitude 6.8 earthquake at Negros-Cebu region at around 11:49 a.m. Monday (February 6).

Another magnitude 5.6 earthquake, at around 12:20 p.m. was recorded in the same area.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no destructive widespread tsunami threat based on history and data.

“However, earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter. Authorities in the region of the epicenter should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action,” it said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology placed the magnitude at 6.9 and the epicenter at 5 kilometers Northwest of Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

The tremor, which is tectonic in origin, was felt at Intensity 7 in Dumaguete City, Intensity 6 in La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental. It was Intensity 5 in Roxas City, Dao and Ivisan, Capiz and Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, San Jose de Buenavista and Pandan in Antique, Ayungon in Negros Oriental, Kalibo in Aklan and Sagay in Negros Occidental including Dipolog City recorded an Intensity 4. Butuan City, Legaspi City and Carmen in Cagayan de Oro recorded an Intensity 3.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it is expecting damage from the earthquake.

DepEd New Rules on Classes SuspensionThe Department of Education (DepEd) has set new rules when suspending classes in cases of typhoons and disasters. These guidelines will enable parents and students to be aware on what to do and prevent possible accidents or danger.

For storm signal no. 1, all preschools both in the private and public levels will be automatically suspended. During storm signal no. 2, preschool, elementary and high school in all levels, both private and public, will have no classes. For storm signal no.3, all classes, including the college level, will be automatically suspended.

In any case PAG-ASA has no official announcement regarding the typhoon signal warnings, the school principal of the affected schools will have the authority to cancel classes in the elementary and high school levels, both in private and public schools. If the suspension will have wider coverage, the superintendent will decide the suspension of classes for the division.

Parents are advised to watch media advisories regarding typhoon updates to identify if it is best to send their children to school or not. Reliable advisories come from PAG-ASA, DepEd, Disaster Coordinating Council and the local government units (LGUs).

When no official storm warnings are available, parents have the ultimate discretion whether their children should go to school. In lieu of the suspended school days, make-up classes may be held during Saturdays or weekends to meet the required number of school days of DepEd. This will be imposed both in the public and private schools.

U.S. to deliver 2nd warship this yearby SecurityMatters. Published on February 10, 2012

The United States government will deliver a second warship to the Philippines within this year to guard the country’s waters, Malacanang announced Thursday (February 9).

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin made an assurance that the said warship from the US will arrive within this year.

But Lacierda reiterated that the country’s neighbors shouldn’t worry about the acquisition of another warship noting that the Philippine military is just beefing up its defense capabilities.

“They shouldn’t be concerned because primarily it’s about protecting our external waters,” he said.

The government commissioned last December the BRP Gregorio del Pilar after getting it from the US Coast Guard. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the Philippines’ first Hamilton-class cutter, arrived in the country in August last year. The warship is the Navy’s largest ship at 380 feet long.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was deployed by the Navy in the West Philippine Sea. Defense officials said more ships to be acquired by the government will secure the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan.

During the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last November, she assured that the US would provide the Philippines second warship for its Navy.

Likewise, members of the US Congress who visited the country last month said they would support the country’s plan to acquire more warships from the US.

Quezon City warns residents to move away from fault lineby SecurityMatters. Published on February 10, 2012

Following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in the Visayas, the Quezon City government has reiterated its warning against those staying on or near the Marikina Fault Line.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has issued a statement discouraging the construction of structures within the 5 meter-wide borders or buffer zone on both sides of the fault line.

“We are considering declaring this buffer zone as non-residential to avoid further damage in case of ground rupture,” Bautista said, adding that residents living beside or on top of the fault line should transfer to areas away from the fault line for their safety.

The areas on the fault line include Loyola Grand Villas, Loyola Subdivision, Ateneo de Manila University, Barangka, Monte Vista Subdivision, Industrial Valley Subdivision, Cinco Hermanos Subdivision, Blue Ridge Subdivision, The Acropolis, White Plains Subdivision and Green Meadows Subdivision.

The following roads traversing the fault line are A. Bonifacio Avenue (Barangka), Marcos Highway (Barangka), Santolan Road (Blue Ridge), C5 (Near St. Ignatius Village) and Green Meadows Avenue.

“Preparedness is the key in the prevention of any life-threatening situation,” The Quezon City government will soon finish the process of completing the tagging, marking and installation of physical markers at the actual locations of the fault line.

City hall officials said the local government has talked to residents in the area, but some of them are still in denial about the situation. Elmo San Diego, head of the city’s public safety office, said the information drive was undertaken so they wouldn’t be blamed when the time comes.

SC issues TRO on Corona dollar accountsby SecurityMatters. Published on February 10, 2012

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order against the disclosure of a dollar account of Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Philippine Savings Bank.

Voting 8-5 with two justices inhibiting, the Supreme Court stopped the PSBank from revealing its records which have been subpoenaed by the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, on the request of the prosecution.

“The court took into consideration the law on foreign currency deposits. The TRO is indefinite until lifted. The dissenters are of the opinion that the TRO should not be issued,” said Jose Midas Marquez, Supreme Court spokesman and administrator.

The tribunal issued the decision after a three-hour special session, and after the PSBank president took the witness stand at the Senate for the second day yesterday for the continuation of his testimony. The Senate discharged the bank official after learning of the TRO.

Those who voted for a TRO were Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo Brion, Roberto Abad, Jose Perez, Lucas Bersamin, Martin Villarama, Bienvenido Reyes and Jose Catral-Mendoza. Those who voted against the issuance of a TRO were Antonio Carpio, Mariano del Castillo, Diosdado Peralta, Maria Lourdes Sereno and Estela Perlas-Bernabe, to whom the petition had been raffled.

Corona did not take part in the deliberations. Carpio being the next most senior justice, presided over the special en banc session. Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. also did not participate in the PSBank petition because his son, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, was among the 188 congressmen who signed the petition impeaching Corona.

No bodies recovered in Sulu air raidby SecurityMatters. Published on February 10, 2012

No bodies have been retrieved following the air raid undertaken by the military in Sulu. The military was forced to admit this following clamor for proof of the reported killing of Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorists.

Military Spokesperson Col. Arnulfo Burgos said the military knew the location of the graves, which was in an area of the Moro National Liberation Front. “There is an effort to coordinate with local authorities for the cooperation of the relatives because we have to get DNA samples,” Burgos said.

Last February 2, the Armed Forces was quick to announce the killing in a predawn strike in Parang, Sulu of Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a top leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network; Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail, aka Doc Abu or Abu Pula; and a Singaporean JI leader Abdullah Ali, alias Mauwiya.

Doc Abu had a bounty of PhP7.4 million on top of a US$140,000 reward offered by the US State Department for his involvement in the May 2001 kidnapping in the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan province.

Marwan, the 29th most wanted personality by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, carried a bounty of PhP7.4 million and US$5 million for multiple counts of kidnapping. Meanwhile, Mauwiya, a known JI contact, had a US$50,000 bounty for his capture.

Last week, Burgos announced names of eight other fatalities, but admitted that no bodies were found at the bombarded area. The eight were “Jumong,” a suspected Malaysian JI operative, Abu Sayyaf members Moammar Jumdail alias Ting who is said to be a son of Dr. Abu; Tati Jamhali, Tuan Nash Lipae, alias Leong, alias Teng, alias Muin and alias Julpe.

“We are not in possession of bodies right now, but we already have locations, some were taken deep into the MNLF territory,” Burgos said.