A Janjalani Trademark

(Published in Zamboanga Today on January 17, 2008.)


The recent kidnapping then killing of Fr. Jesus Reynaldo Roda, OMI, in Tabawan Island, South Ubian town in Tawi-Tawi province revives apprehension from residents of southern Philippines who now suspect that there is truth to the statement of an eyewitness who said he met Abu Sayyaf Leader Khadaffy Janjalani on May 20, 2007 in one of the solar-energized communities in Sulu.

It was in 2000 when the ASG abducted Claretian priest Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, along with the principal of Tumahubong Elementary School Mr. Reynaldo Rubio, three other teachers, and 52 students in Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan. (The ordeal lasted for about 4 months, and six of the hostages died, including Gallardo.)

The area where the Notre Dame school director was abducted is approximately a couple of hours away from the islands where Khadaffy Janjalani, now reported as dead based from a much-publicized DNA test that confirmed his alleged death, was last seen.

In addition, computers from the school were reported as taken by the abductors as main loot items. This leads observers to wonder how these could be of use when most of the communities thereat are hardly energized with electricity. But the robbery is a secondary consideration.

We cannot tolerate any more of these activities especially in southern Philippines. The policemen who went after the abductors did not seem to be very well-equipped compared to the crime perpetrators who were on board a well-fueled speedboat and were heavily armed.

The Department of National Defense should probably look closely into not just merely appropriating funds, but supervising the offices assigned in actually purchasing firearms and equipment that could really empower our police and military forces down south. After all, they are the ones whose lives are at peril when the militants strike at unexpected hours.

As of press time, no one down on the ground could report on the exact location where the abductors are. Be they the Abu Sayyaf Group, or not, one cannot just judge. However, one who has known of the Tumahubong incident nearly eight years ago can just shake his head and sigh, that this was a 'repeat performance operations' of Janjalani and his men.

And while everyone in the city lives in comfort, our brother Filipinos down south cannot just be assuaged in a snap of a finger that all is well in the southern front. (Frencie L. Carreon)