L.A. EXTENDS HELP FOR MORTAR SHELL VICTIMS (Feb. 11, 2008)

Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla went to Sulu Provincial Hospital to visit the wounded innocent civilians whose houses were indiscriminately hit by mortar shells fired by unidentified assailants on the night of 9th February 2009.

Basir Anik told this writer that 9 of his family who are all residents of Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo were hit by shrapnel from the mortar. Those hit are his wife Nursida Jupakkal Anik, his father Jupakkal Anik and children Adzmer, Julikar, Almida, Abduraji, Arjunel, Altani and Mackradz. According to Basir, they were already inside their house ready to sleep when the mortar shell fell directly on top of their roof.

Another civilian victim, Akiron Uddih of Barangay Tanum, Patikul was also hit by another haphazard shelling.

The medical personnel of the hospital informed the Vice Governor that the three wounded victims (Almida, Abduraji and Arjunel) are in critical condition due to their traumatic injuries.  Upon knowing the health urgency need to the three victims, the Vice Governor right away requested assistance from Task Force COMET head Major General Juancho Sabban to airlift the victims as soon as possible to Zamboanga City for thorough medical attention. MGen. Sabban immediately approved the request and provided a helicopter for the victims.  The three is now in Zamboanga General Hospital.

Seeing them in great pain and worried of their medical bills, the Vice Governor heartily provided monetary assistance to the victims for their medication and personal needs.

Meanwhile, rumors of an imminent terror attack of the Abu Sayyaf Group are hounding the locals in the town of Jolo in connection with the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) and military operations against the ASG to rescue the three kidnapped ICRC staffs.

According to some reports, the Provincial Government Capitol Building is one of the targets of the ASG to be burned down.

Vice Governor Sahidulla upon information took action and gathered some of her Provincial Board Members. They vigil overnight at the Capitol Building including some Philippine National Police personnel to safeguard the area and the civilians in the vicinity.

An employee driver of the Jolo Municipal Government is also held by the ASG whose driven truck was burned by the group. ASG demands that the CVO and the Military must withdraw to allow negotiations for the kidnapped ICRC staffs.

Vice Governor Sahidulla is actively helping the Task Force ICRC for the safe release of the kidnapped victim. She had sought the help of the local officials in the Municipality of Indanan to solicit their support locate the kidnapped victims. She was the only Government Official allowed twice by the kidnappers to visit the ICRC staffs to ensure their wellbeing.

The Task Force has declared news black out to allow smooth process of the negotiation. Task Force ICRC is composed of Local Government Officials, Philippine National Police, the Military, Civic and Religious Leaders.

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