Press Release
November 10, 2009

Pia condemns principal's beheading by bandits in Jolo

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today strongly condemned the recent beheading of a school principal in Jolo, Sulu by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits after the victim's family reportedly failed to meet the kidnappers' P2-million ransom demand.

"How did it come to this point that even our educators, who are tasked with guiding our children to become responsible citizens, are themselves not safe from kidnapping? This is a heartless act. It cannot be tolerated. The perpetrators must be apprehended immediately and brought to justice."

"The beheading of Gabriel Canizares is a testament to the culture of violence that continues to pervade over Jolo despite government's repeated claims that it is close to annihilating the Abu Sayyaf's forces and influence in the island-province. But how can the government claim prosperity and economic development when it cannot even assure the safety and security of our public school teachers?" asked Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice.

"The government should devise ways to protect educators, medical workers and community volunteers who are easy and defenseless targets for the Abu Sayyaf. It's unfortunate that the Arroyo administration's latest call to crush these bandits have begun to sound like an empty threat as the kidnappings continue unabated and even more vicious."

"It seems the government and our people have been reduced to helplessness as the bandits continue to sow terror in the South. There must be accountability and command-responsibility for the continued failure of our armed forces to crush the Abu Sayyaf," she lamented.

"But ultimately, the long-term solution to put an end to the conflict in Mindanao lies in bringing genuine peace, social justice and development to the region."

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