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Maguindanao bloodbath blamed on Ampatuans

11/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The gruesome massacre which left at least 36 people dead after they were kidnapped in Maguindanao, Mindanao, Philippines had been blamed on political rivalries involving leaders of the powerful Ampatuan clan.

Four survivors whose identities were not disclosed alleged that they heard Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr say the killings were demanded by his father Andal Sr. and older brother Zaldy, the governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Among the victims was Genalyn T. Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan, Maguindanao vice mayor Datu Ismail “Toto” Manguddatu, the chief political rival of the powerful Ampatuans. Genalyn died with the convoy which included Toto’s two sisters, two lawyers, about a dozen journalists and supporters who did not survive the shootings perpetrated by heavily-armed men. Military authorities set up check-points to find the suspects.

At the time of the killings, the ill-fated group was about to file a certificate of candidacy (COC) for Toto Manguddatu’s run for governor at the Maguindanao Comelec Office in the provincial capital of Shariff Aquak--- a place controlled by the Ampatuan family.

The senseless bloodbath, the most vicious in memory, was condemned by local and international groups such as the Bishops-Ulama Conference, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres).(Photo Credit: wikimedia) =0=

UPDATE: The Philippine government declared a stte of emergency in the place where the massacre occured as the number of causualties mounted. This will allow curfews and searches to be done by authorities as they search for the gunmen that killed 46 people. Press freedom groups and journalists doubt if justice will be served in this ignominious murders.

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Labels: bloodbath, election, killings, Maguindanao, Massacre, Mindanao, Muslim Mindanao, politcs, Totie Mesia

Barbaric beheading of a school principal in Patikul, Sulu

11/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

A 36-year old elementary school principal was beheaded by unidentified men who accosted him while riding a small bus in the town of Patikul, Sulu. Gabriel Canizares’ barbarically severed head was thrown in a gas station by men in motorcycles believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf, the notorious band of bandits that operates in Mindanao. Five hours after, his mutilated body was dumped near a military camp in Patikul, Sulu.

It was reported that before Canizares’ abduction on October 20, 2009, he was threatened by death threats. His family said, the victim and his relatives couldn’t pay the P2 million ransom demanded by his captors.

Teachers who knew the murdered principal were angry, distraught, and fearful over the death of their colleague. Those who were working to rescue the educator had shifted to arresting those responsible.

Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime which had been widely condemned by Jolo residents. It was theorized that Canizares' murder was connected with the abduction of Columban missionary Fr. Michael Sinnot in Pagadian City who at present had not been found. With the Moro Liberation Front (MILF,) among the suspects, the 79-year old Catholic priest was asked to pay $2 million ransom---a demand that was repudiated by the government and the Columban Missionary community the sickly humanitarian worker belongs.

Over the weekend, authorities took custody of an MILF commander. Canizares' beheading could have been a retaliation, according to Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa. Intelligence reports indicated that the arrested MILF commander identified as Asnawie Addan Salah, had knowledge and contact with the Al-Qaeda affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group who kidnapped the principal of Kanagi Elementary School.

The persistent lawlessness in Southern Philippines of Islamic radicals has appalled peace-loving Filipinos. The beheading of innocent individuals is a horrible degeneration down the path of barbarism that must be condemned. It’s despicable to know that debased human beings have to resort to desecrate bodies of fellow human beings. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=

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Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Al Qaeda, Fr. Michael Sinnott, Gabriel Canizares, hostages, Islamic militants, kidnapping, killings, MILF, Mindanao war, Patikul, ransom, Sulu, terrorism, Totie Mesia, war on terror

Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist

11/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Major Nidal Malik Hasan recuperates from the gunshot wounds inflicted to stop him form his shooting rampage at Fort Hood Military Base. The medical army officer is being investigated for terrorism. Operatives are trying to know if he has deep ties with radical groups espousing violence and mayhem in the Western world.

The 39–year old unmarried gunman took the lives of 13 fellow soldiers and injured 30 innocent victims. Relatives and friends pointed to Hasan as a benign peaceful man with no criminal records. But others saw him as a troubled medical professional with religious fanatical views who was upset of being deployed to Afghanistan. The vicious killer shouted “Allahu Akhbar” (God is Great,) a signature battlecry of militant Muslim suicide bombers.

Later inquiries suggested that Hasan was a devout Muslim who talked stridently against the war. He believed Muslims are justified to rise against aggressors like the Americans. Born and raised in Virginia, he went to in Dar-al-Hijrah mosque in Virginia, a worship house led by a radical Muslim preacher said to be a "spiritual adviser" to three of the hijackers who attacked the United States on Sept 11, 2001. Hasan has great respect for Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni imam accused of supporting terrorist organisations including Al-Qaeda.

These emerging clues raised the need to dig deeper into Hasan’s background. Exercising political correctness, civilian and military authorities seemed slow and hesitant to explore the terrorist angle, but this needed to change quick to protect America.

Endorsing a thorough investigation, Sen. Joe Lieberman talked of his suspicions that a terrorist link is possible given Hasan’s story. The Obama administration had been criticized for not giving enough focus on the tragedy that befell men and women in the service of the country.

For fear of a backlash among the radical Islamists, authorities preferred to think the attack was a criminal event rather than an attack of a terrorist. Those in denial had the tendency to push key questions under the rug. Part of a feeling of dread and tendency to accommodate, they were dismissive of violent people in the ranks of Muslims. They seemed unprepared to accept the truth that terrorists had entered in US soil. (Photo Credit: Telegraph.co.uk) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas" Posted by mesiamd at 11/06/2009

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Labels: doctor, Fort Hood, Islam, killings, Malik Nidal Hasan, Massacre, militant, military, political correctness, psychiatry, stereotype, terrorism, Texas, Totie Mesia, war on terror

Another deadly bomb blast in Peshawar kills about 100

10/28/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As Sec. of State Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan, a car bomb blew in the city of Peshawar killing almost 100 people and wounding about 200 innocent victims in a busy market. Plumes of smoke, broken concrete. and scattered rubble were observed in the crime scene.

The car explosion was part of the step-up offensive by Taliban insurgents against Pakistani forces as the latter continued their attacks in South Waziristan, a border community near Afghanistan where Taliban fighters had taken foothold.

"I want you to know this fight is not Pakistan's alone," Clinton said. "These extremists are committed to destroying what is dear to us as much as they are committed to destroying that which is dear to you and to all people. So this is our struggle as well."--- AP/ Yahoo.news.com (10/28/09, Khan, R.)

In October, three bombs blasted as part of the deplorable attacks across the country claiming the lives of about 250 people. The focus of the attacks by Islamic militants had been the military forces charged with security and innocent civilians who had been caught negotiating their daily lives in public places of a chaotic country.

Notorious fanatical killers aim to lessen the people’s resolve to fight lawlessness and lessen government support from the people. (Photo Credits: Reuters/ Yahoon.news.com/ Asis, F.) =0=

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Labels: bombing, explosion, killings, Pakistan, Peshawar, suicide bombing, terrorism, Totie Mesia

Taliban suicide bomber kills 23 in Afghanistan attack

9/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The Taliban claiming responsibility, a suicide bomber detonated himself killing 23 people in a a crowded Mosque in Mehtarlam, Laghman Province, about 100 miles from the capital city of Kabul.

The deaths coincided with rising dispute on who won the recent presidential election which had served as the Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. The government and the United Nations (UN) condemned the attack. Pres. Hamid Karzai (47.3%) leading against his rival Abdullah Abdullah (32.6%) on recent vote count.

The bombing which occurred in Ramadan apparently targeted Abdullah Laghmani who served as Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. (Photo Credit: Travelblog.com) =0=

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Labels: 2007 election, Abudullah Abudullah, Afghanistan, casualty, Hamid Karzai, killings, Naga Camarines Sur. Totie Mesia, Ramadan, suicide, suicide bombing, Taliban, UN, United Nations

Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley

8/31/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

A suicide bomber who trespassed a training compound for military recruits blew himself, killing 16 would-be police officers in Swat region of Pakistan. The bloody attack which wounded an undetermined number of trainees came three days after 27 security men died in another attack in the country’s Khyber region.

The violence in unstable Mingora, Swat’s major village may be an attempt of Taliban militants to reclaim the area they control after their stronghold of three years was disrupted by military forces early in May 2009.

It was estimated 1,800 Islamic rebels and suicide bombers died during the offensive. A million civilians escaped the area, but returned when some measure of stability was achieved by the anti-Taliban forces.

Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, vowing to continue the fight against the Taliban insurgents who caused the senseless deaths of about 3,000 people in the last two years. (Photo Credit: Nizam Khan) =0=

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Labels: explosion, Islamic militants, killings, militant, military, Pakistan, suicide, suicide bombing, Swat Valley, Taliban, Totie Mesia

Iraq bloodbath kills 95

8/20/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Iraqis who have been used to killings that average about 200-300 per month are alarmed by the recent carnage that brought 95 dead and more than 500 injured. The deaths come from coordinated detonation of cars, trucks, and mortars on key targets in Baghdad---among the deadliest this year. One such bomb has exploded near the finance ministry wounding at least 200 people, mostly innocent civilians. Two Al Qaeda militants were arrested in connection with the senseless blasts.

“I am saddened that the violence continues, including an appalling string of attacks today in Baghdad which took the lives of scores of innocent people," UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon ABCNews (08/19/09, Barker, A.)

A Sunni politician Falah Hassan Zeidan condemned the terrorist attacks in the city where the parliament, national government, and international community are located. Admitted by government officials, he complained of the laxity of the security men tasked to keep peace in the area.

The cowardly attacks have increased since the partial withdrawal of US forces last June. However, the decision to keep for about 2 years American military forces in the capital city remains. (Photo Credit: minnimarg) =0=

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Labels: Baghdad, bombing, casualty, explosion, Iraq, killings, suicide bombing, terrorism, Totie Mesia

Taliban steps up violence as election draws near in Afghanistan

8/19/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Trying to thwart the election scheduled on Thursday, August 20, 2009, Taliban forces increased their campaign of violence in the capital city of Kabul in Afghanistan killing at least 8 people and leaving about 50 wounded. Two Afghan staff of the United Nations and one foreign soldier were among the latest casualties.

A suicide bomber directed an explosive-bearing vehicle in a busy highway. Missiles were fired close to the presidential palace and defense ministry. In Uruzgan province, an insurgent attacked a polling station, leaving four Afghan soldiers and two civilians dead.

“For the election, some 300,000 Afghan and international troops and police officers, are tasked with protecting 29,000 polling stations, with what the government describes as a four-tier ring of security.”---Voice of America (08/18/09, Herman, S.)

Dubbed as "a day of peace, the election is expected to allow about 80% of electorates to cast their votes. A huge electoral participation will help in bringing unity, curtail corruption and reconciliation among warring ethnic groups. The Afghan government and international security forces have prepared for more attacks on election day.(Photo Credit tanweer1) =0=

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Labels: Afghanistan, casualty, election, Kabul, killings, security, suicide bombing, Taliban, Totie Mesia

GMA orders to "annihilate" the Abu Sayyaf rebels; Erap vowed to "pulverize" them

8/16/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

It’s like the grand order of then Pres. Erap Estrada who vowed to “pulverize” the Islamic militants of Mindanao during his tenure. The ambitious "pulverization" till now is still a pipe dream. The dangerous Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf are strong as ever. They still freely operate with such impunity in Mindanao.

After the bloodbath in Basilan this week, Arroyo did her own saber-rattling----ostensibly vowing to annihilate the Moslem bandits responsible for the recent blatant killings. Faced with a humiliating casualties, she had to deal with the skirmish which left 50 people dead, 23 of whom are miltary men, including two army officers.

Abu Sayyaf, in cahoots with some MILF elements are reesponsible. These militants have been done hostage-taking and murders in the past under the noses of government forces. Arroyo and her military men therefore have strong reasons to raise their battle warnngs and execute them.

"The war against terror must be pursued. The annihilation of the Abu Sayyaf must be done,” Mrs. Arroyo told a command conference of security officials led by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters here."---Philstar (08/16/09)

Pres. Arroyo assuages the public’s grief for the 23 military men who died. Attempting to shore-up the morale of the soldiers and their bereaved relatives, her order of “rapid annihilation” seems hard to realize.

Poverty fuels the discontent of the people in Southern Philippines. The bandits have support from the community where they operate, posing a big obstacle in defeating the terrorists. The Islamic rebels reflect the futility of force which makes violence a losing instrument of peace. (Photo Credit: Alvin Chan) =0=

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Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Basilan, casualty, Islamic militants, killings, MILF, MILF camps, military, Mindanao, Mindanao conflict, Mindanao war, Morolandia, Totie Mesia

Mexico jail riot leaves 19 dead

8/15/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Gang-instigated riot in Durango prison in the Northern part of Mexico resulted in the death of 19 prisoners and the wounding of at least 20 more on Friday, August 14, 2009. Murders in Mexican jails left about a hundred dead inmates in the last few months.

Threatening the peace and stability of Mexico, the recurrent violence is related to the drug wars that had been raging in the area. It brought fatalities of about 6,000 civilians last year and another 1,000 this year.

"Durango has been the scene of clashes between the Gulf and Sinaloa drug cartels in recent months. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has declared war on the illegal narcotic organisation in Mexico, deploying 40,000 troops to fight the cartels." ---BBC News (08/15/09)

The death of prisoners is the latest of the ongoing fight for dominance of narcotics peddlers. Drug gangs are responsible for staging bloody killings and the staging of jail break-ins to help jailbirds bolt out from prison. (Photo Credit: Dana Gonzales) =0=

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Labels: drug war, drugs, illegal drugs, jail, killings, Mexico, narcotics, prisoners, riot, Totie Mesia

Suicide bombers kill 35 Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq

8/08/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In a new expression of sectarian enmity, 35 Shi’ite Muslims were killed in a series of explosive detonations as pilgrims marked the birthday of the 12th Imam honored by the Shi’ites. A car bomb in Mosul blew up on Friday, August 7, 2009, causing death to dozens of attendees in a mosque. A bomb exploded in Baghdad killing at least 10 civilians.

The security in Iraq had been tight though violence somewhat subsided in past few months. It wasn’t clear who was responsible for the sectarian astrocities that put people on edge. Two separate suicide car bombings inflicting injuries and causing property damage occurred in Sadr City, also targeting Shi’ite Muslims. (Photo Credit: AFP/ Al Saadi, A.) =0=

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Labels: Iraq, Islamic militants, killings, Mosul, Muslim, Shiite, suicide bombing, Totie Mesia

Islamic sectarian violence in Nigeria

7/30/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In the past few days, heavy fighting in the northeastern part of Nigeria raged as sectarian violence erupted leading to the burning of houses and death of hundreds of people.

Government troops are battling Islamic militants headed by a radical cleric and forcing thousands people to escape to avoid the chaos. Reacting to the disturbance which left many dead on the streets, the president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua says the situation is under control.

“The violence, which the authorities said began with an attack on a police station in the town of Bauchi on Sunday that left at least 39 people dead, quickly spread across four states in a heavily Muslim region long troubled by religious unrest. In this instance it appeared to have been led by an obscure fundamentalist opposed to what the authorities call “Western education.”---New York Times/ AFP (07/28/09, Nossiter, A.)

Nigeria is populated by about 140 million composed of 50% Muslims mostly in the North and 50% Christians in the South. Since the imposition of strict Muslim Shariah law in 12 northern states a decade ago after years of military rule, about 10,000 died in the ensuing religious conflict. Extremists allied with the Muslim radicals wage war against western education.

An analyst believes the root cause of the problem is the severe economic difficulties rocking the area. In spite of richness in oil and fuel reserves of Nigeria, unemployment and hunger are prevalent.

According to the World Health, 54% of Nigerians subsist in less than $1 per day budget. The people are frustrated with the government for the lack of electricity, water, healthcare and other basic human services. (Photo Credit: AFP/graphicis; AFP/ Utomi Ekepei) =0=

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Labels: Africa, ethnic unrest, Islamic militants, killings, Nigeria, poverty, Totie Mesia, unemployment

Hundreds died and scores injured in ethnic Uighur riots

7/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

At least 156 died and 828 people were injured in a bloody clash between Uighurs and government forces as the ethnic group, predominantly Muslim, came out of the streets on Monday, July 6, 2009 in northwestern China.

“The latest protests started in the provincial capital of Urumqi on Sunday, when demonstrators gathered to demand justice for two Uighurs killed in June during a fight with their Han co-workers at a factory in southern China.

The protests turned into the deadliest ethnic unrest to hit the region in decades.
Photos and video posted on the internet showed the city in flames, as rioters went on a rampage, clashing with police and rolling over police cars.”----AP/ CBCNesw.ca (07/06/09)

The Uighurs who are concentrated in the Xinjiang region of China have a turbulent relation with the ethnic Han Chinese who predominate in the country. As a result of the discrimination, the Uighurs complain against the Chinese government, the ethnic group has established a separatist group. Aside from job discrimination, they accuse the government of trying to eradicate their religion.

On the other hand, the Chinese government claimed that the fresh riots aimed to “destabilize the country” has been incited by exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, the president of the Uighur American Association (UAA) who lives in exile since 2005 in Fairfax, Va. The exiled leader denied such a claim. (Photo Credit: AFP/ Peter Parks/ Yahoonews; AFP graphics) =0=

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Labels: China, death, discrimination, ethnic unrest, injuries, killings, Muslim, Rebiya Kadeer, riot, toll, Totie Mesia, Uighurs

5 killed in Cotabato blast

7/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Part of the bombings that caused renewed fear in various parts of Southern Philippines is the explosion which occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2009 rocking the nearby Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato, Mindanao.

A bomb detonated in a store close to the church claimed the life of 5 people and wounding about 45. The explosion which prompted people to flee inside the church coincided the morning mass that was being celebrated by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.

“The bombing occurred 14 hours after an explosion rocked Barangay Poblacion in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, wounding three civilians.” Inquirer (07/06/09, 2009, Uy, J.)

No one accepted any responsibility for the blasts that Vatican's pontiff Pope Benedict XVI condemned. The holy father said nothing good could be achieved by hate and acts of violence. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division of the military suspected the spate of treaths and bombing are workings of the militant elements of the MILF. (Photo Credit: Carlie Saceda) =0=

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Labels: bombing, Church, Cotabato City, killings, MILF, militant, military, Mindanao, Totie Mesia

Iran election crisis continues as the world watches

6/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Opposition to the recent election which civil society deemed fraudulent continued with thousands of angry protesters clashing with government security officers in Iran. Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the defeated rival of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continued to spill into Tehran streets to denounce the rigged election last June 12, 2009 in spite of warnings from the Revolutionary Guard to be prepared for a bloody confrontation.

The protesters who were attacked by teargas, truncheons, and guns demanded a rerun of the election that was riddled with irregularities.

Iranian TV reported at least 17 so far were killed and more than 400 were wounded in last Saturday’s riots. One of those who died was Neda Soltani, a young woman whose demise had become the inspiration of more mass actions. A memorial service for the martyred lady was rejected by authorities to prevent her from becoming a flashpoint of continued rebellion.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said: “We are worried and particularly saddened over the violence and loss of life that this is creating and we ask the Iranian government to urgently adopt conditions to create a peaceful solution to the internal crisis. The right to safeguard human lives comes before everything else.“---Iran Daily (06/22/09)

US Pres. Barack Obama expressed his support to the protesters, but many criticize him for not speaking strongly for human rights and democratic principles.

In the past few days, the US, Britain, France, and other European countries asked the Iranian leadership to respect human rights, democratic process, and halt all violence against the people. The Iranian government responded by calling these countries “irresponsible and intrusive.”

As the protesters mull on their next move, a demonstration has been scheduled on Thursday, June 25, 2009. In solidarity with the Iranian protesters, similar rallies against the Iranian rogue regime have been staged in London, Hamburg, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Washington, Kuwait City, Tokyo, and other major cities of the world. (Photo Credit: PD; AFP; Reuters/ Farhad Rajabali) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: "Protests against Iran’s contested election continue" Posted by mesiamd at 6/16/2009; "Ahmadinejad wins in Iranian election" Posted by mesiamd at 6/14/2009

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Labels: 2009 crisis, election, fraud, Iran, killings, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Neda Soltani, protest, rally, Tehran, Totie Mesia

Masbate newsman killed

6/20/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

To add up to the high number of journalists being killed in the country, another newsman from Masbate was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Marcella, Uson, Masbate on June 12, 2009.

The victim was Antonio A. Castillo, a 45 year-old reporter of Bigwas, a local weekly newspaper who sustained fatal wounds at the back of his body before he died in Mabate Provincial Hospital. According to a New York-based organization, Castillo counted as the fifth journalist slained this year in the Philippines. The motive of the killing is under investigation. Photo Credit: Sheltercreow) =0=

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Labels: Antonio A. Castillo, bicol, death, journalist, killings, Mabate, Newspaper, Totie Mesia

8 killed in fresh fighting with Abu Sayyaf

6/12/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

At least 6 Abu Sayyaf rebels and two military troops died in a recent clash between the Islamic militants and government forces last Thurday, June 11, 2009 in Indanan, Jolo, Sulu. Four other soldiers were reportedly wounded during the encounter.

About 100 terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf Albader Parad clashed with the military in a planned combat operation which sought to rescue Italian Eugenio Vagni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker still being held hostage since January 15, 2009.

According to Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the soldiers who suffered injuries and died were hit by sharpnels from booby traps set up by the militant bandits. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=

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Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Albader Parad, death, Eugenio Vagni, hostages, ICRC, Islamic militants, Jolo, killings, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, military, Mindanao, Navy, Sulu, Toti Mesia

Militants bombed luxury hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan

6/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The bombing that killed about 50 people last year in Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was reminiscent of the recent carnage in Pearl Continental Hotel a plush and popular hotel, the hang-out of foreigners and well-to-do Pakistanis.

Using a truck carrying deadly explosives, the suicide bombers brought down portion of the luxury hotel into rubble and caused a huge crater on the parking lot. The destruction claimed the lives of at least 11 people, injuring about 70 others, at least 9 individuals in critical condition. Several foreigners were among the dead and wounded.

“The violence was the latest in a string of powerful bomb attacks and ambushes in Pakistan's major cities while the country continues to wage an offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat Valley and surrounding regions. Pakistani authorities have characterized the attacks as retaliation by the Taliban for major gains made by Pakistani troops against militants since the military operation began in late April.” The Chicago Tribune/ LA Times (06/09/09 Zulfiqar Ali, Alex Rodriguez)

“U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" in "the strongest possible terms," U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said at U.N. headquarters in New York.”-----The Huffington Post / AP (06/09/09 Khan, Riaz)

The gunmen with their explosives barged into security at about 10 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 as nightlife started in Peshawar, Pakistan’s largest Northeast city with a population of 2.2 million. The chaos that followed brought extensive loss of property, injuries, and senseless deaths.

The attack by terrorists was linked to the threats made public by the Al Qaeda-linked Taliban fighters who sought revenge against the bloody campaign they face against Pakistani security forces in Swat valley, a location close to the cities of Peshawar and Islamabad.

For the past weeks, about 15,000 Pakistani troops battled 7,000 Taliban Islamic militants prompting thousands of civilians to flee as the number of the dead mounted. A militia composed of civilians had been formed to kick out the Talibans in the area. (Photo credits: AFP Graphics; Reuters/ Ali Imam) =0=

Perseveranda So, a Filipina among the casualties in the Peshawar bombing

The 52-year-old Filipina Unicef worker devoted to education was unlucky to have been killed during the explosion that damaged the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Before her death, So, a dedicated Unicef Chief of Education helped in large measure the schooling of Filipinos through a program called Child Friendly School System. Her demise was announced by authorities of Unicef where she worked since 1994. =0=

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Labels: Al Qaeda, Islamabad, Islamic militants, killings, militant, military, mortality, Pakistan, Pearl Continental Hotel, Peshawar, suicide bombing, Swat Valley, Taliban, terrorism, Totie Mesia

Doctor slay sparks new debate on abortion

6/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

If you support late term abortion----termination of pregnancy beyond the time of fetal viability, you’ll probably hail Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas as a hero. A reproductive health provider, he helped desperate women get abortions at a time when few doctors would agree of the terminations.

The controversial doctor who reportedly aborted as many as 60,000 fetuses under strict medical guideline during his career was gunned down while attending the Sunday morning church services in Wichita Reformation Lutheran Church on May 31, 2009.

The suspected killer in custody is Scott P. Roeder, a 51 year-old native of Merriam Kansas, an ardent opponent of abortion. It is unclear if the alleged gunman acted alone or in cahoots with an anti-abortion group.

“Tiller was a rallying symbol for both sides. The 67-year-old physician's clinic was bombed in 1985, and he was shot in both arms in 1993. He was acquitted of criminal charges in March related to performing late-term abortions. Abortion rights supporters praised his work."---McClatchy Newspapers (06/01/09, Goldstein, D.)

If you are against abortion, the slaying of Dr. Tiller marks the end of a baby killer who profited huge sums of money for performing termination of unwanted pregnancies. Millions of innocent fetuses are killed in utero for varying justifications in USA and the death of the physician may be looked upon by anti-abortion proponents as a “murder of a murderer.”

Yet, for most of us, Dr. Tiller and his killer’s fate must not end senselessly as this. The gruesome killing shows an apparent rush to get justice at the expense of the law. Such an unfortunate incident is likely to be exploited by groups to advance their views in such a contentious subject.

While a fraction of Americans believe that the doctor has provided needed medical services and helped women under difficult circumstances by performing abortion, as many as more than 2/3 (72%) of US citizens are against the termination of babies during the last phase of pregnancy.

In the backdrop of citizens asserting their pro-choice stance in support of abortion, the arguments against the killing of the unborn don’t only transcend cultural tradition, but contradicts religious beliefs as well. Since the news of Dr. Tiller's death, criticisms and threats of backlash are hurled in all sides of the issue which make us ask again:

"Can't we get along?" "Will we not respect the life of the defenseless babies because we are stronger than them?" "If we are the fetuses to be aborted, will we allow the procedure of babaric baby death?" (Photo Credit: AP/ Charles Riedel) =0=

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Labels: abortion, controversy, Dr. George Tiller, fetus, Health, killings, moral values, morality, pregnancy, Pro-choice, Prolife, termination of pregnancy, Totie Mesia

Muslim religious bias behind the killing of pigs in Egypt?

5/05/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In Egypt where 90% adhere to the Muslim religion, the consumption of porcine meat is forbidden. Muslims believe pigs are unclean and many don’t eat pork. That’s why it is easy for the government to order the slaughter of 300,000 pigs, many of which are raised by the poor 10% Coptic Christian minority in the country.

Christians condemn the government action which threatens to decimate the hog industry which supplies about 30% of the country’s meat consumption. So far about 700 pigs have been killed and irate hog raisers engaged the police with rocks and bottles to protest in Cairo.

Adel Hammouda, the chief editor of the weekly al-Fagr and a Muslim, picked up on the religious implication of the pig slaughter when he wrote in his column: "They found in this black epidemic their golden opportunity to wage their religious war against Christianity, hiding behind the pigs." ---- AP (05/06/09, Michael, M)

Allegation of religious bias cropped up after the Egyptian government ordered the killing of pigs as a preventive measure against the spread of the swine flu. The action was considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as unnecessary since there is no convincing evidence that these hogs harbor the H1N1 flu virus.

Certainly, the lines which divide health decisions, politics and religion are thin. The Egyptian government must be rational in deciding on health policies which put certain groups in society at a disadvantage. There is no convincing reason to justify the singling out of Egypt’s Christians who raise pigs as their source of food. The killing of their hogs must stop. (Photo Credit: Peggy Collins) =0=

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Labels: bias, Christians, Coptic Chrisitians, Egypt, government, H1N1 virus, Health, infection, killings, Muslim, pig slaughter, pork, religion, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

UP Ibalon Bicol

Maguindanao bloodbath blamed on Ampatuans

Barbaric beheading of a school principal in Patikul, Sulu

Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist

Another deadly bomb blast in Peshawar kills about 100

Taliban suicide bomber kills 23 in Afghanistan attack

Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley

Iraq bloodbath kills 95

Taliban steps up violence as election draws near in Afghanistan

GMA orders to "annihilate" the Abu Sayyaf rebels; Erap vowed to "pulverize" them

Mexico jail riot leaves 19 dead

Suicide bombers kill 35 Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq

Islamic sectarian violence in Nigeria

Hundreds died and scores injured in ethnic Uighur riots

5 killed in Cotabato blast

Iran election crisis continues as the world watches

Masbate newsman killed

8 killed in fresh fighting with Abu Sayyaf

Militants bombed luxury hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan

Doctor slay sparks new debate on abortion

Muslim religious bias behind the killing of pigs in Egypt?

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