2 U.S. troops killed in Philippines blast Sep 30, 2009
The group also killed an American Marine with a nail-laden motorcycle bomb in nearby Zamboanga city in October 2002. U.S. counterterrorism troops were deployed to the region earlier that year. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Two US soldiers killed in Philippine blast: US, local military Sep 30, 2009
However one US soldier was killed and another seriously wounded when a bomb, believed to have been planted by the Abu Sayyaf, went off in a bar in the southern port city of Zamboanga in October 2002. And just two weeks ago, a small bomb was hurled at a wharf in Jolo where US troops were unloading supplies. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Landmine kills 2 U.S. soldiers in Philippines Sep 30, 2009
In October 2002, a U.S. Green Beret was killed along with two Filipinos when a bomb loaded with nails exploded outside a cafe in Zamboanga city. More on. (MSNBC -- Terrorism)
Philippine island braces for extremist revenge Sep 22, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Security forces on the Philippine island of Jolo are on alert for retaliatory attacks by Islamist militants after the capture of one of their main camps, officials said Tuesday. Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, head of police in the capital town of Jolo, said he had received intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf plans to attack the town after their largest camp on the island was captured on Sunday. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Philippine miracle survivor found Sep 8, 2009
Nearly 1,000 people were on board the Superferry-9, when it sank near the southern Philippines city of Zamboanga ... "She's very lucky she survived," he added, noting that the tropical waters of Zamboanga were notorious for being infested with sharks. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Passenger saved in ferry sinking after 24 hours Sep 8, 2009
A woman and child arrive Sunday in Zamboanga after being rescued from the ferry sinking in the Philippines. A helicopter rescued Lita Casunglon, said Perfecto Eden, commander of the Philippine coast guard, but he had no additional details. (CNN -- World)
After 30 hours, survivor of sunken Filipino ferry plucked from rough seas Sep 8, 2009
Although she was weak and could hardly speak due to a sore throat, Casumlum was upbeat and joked with reporters in a military hospital in southern Zamboanga city, telling them she had lost money at sea but found two small crabs in her pocket after her rescue ... Coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said an investigation will begin this week to find out why the vessel - its power flickering on and off - sank off the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte province. (Boston Globe)
Hundreds escape sinking ferry in Philippines Sep 8, 2009
Nine people died and more than 30 were missing Sunday, though rescue efforts saved about 900 terrified victims on the Superferry 9 after it turned on its side 9 miles off Zamboanga del Norte province. Many aboard panicked as the huge ferry listed, said passenger Reymark Belgira. (San Francisco Chronicle)
* Miracle rescue in shark-infested Philippine waters Sep 8, 2009
AFP , ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009, Page 5 ... A specialist air force rescue team found Lita Casunglon bobbing in the ocean off the Zamboanga peninsula, about 15km from where the Superferry 9 sank on Sunday morning in a tragedy that left nine people dead ... Shes very lucky she survived, regional navy commander Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said, adding that the tropical waters of Zamboanga were notorious for being infested with sharks. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Woman Survives 30 Hours at Sea After Philippine Ferry Sinks Sep 8, 2009
Sept. 6: A navy patrol boat goes near passengers with life jackets on the tilted Superferry 9 off Zamboanga del Norte province, southern Philippines ... Coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said an investigation will begin later this week to find out why the vessel its power flickering on and off sank off the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte province. (Fox News)
Ferry survivor lifted to safety Sep 8, 2009
Rescuers are still searching the area off the Zamboanga peninsula where the SuperFerry 9 went down at the weekend. Emma North reports. (BBC News)
Last passenger from Philippine ferry found: govt Sep 8, 2009
It is believed to be on the sea bed 18 kilometres (11 miles) off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula at a depth of more than five kilometres. The ferry was thought to be carrying 250 tonnes of fuel oil, and residents in nearby coastal villages have reported seeing an oil sheen on the water's surface. (Yahoo! Asia News)
5 killed, 931 rescued as Philippine ferry sinks Sep 7, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Philippine rescuers managed to save 931 passengers and crew members on board a huge ferry that tilted and sank early Sunday morning in the waters off the archipelago's southern coast, officials said ... This photo released by The Philippine Navy shows passengers dotting the port side of the ill-fated SuperFerry 9 as navy ships move closer to rescue at the high seas of Baturampon Point in the coast off Zamboanga in southern Philippines, Sept. 6, 2009... (Xinhuanet, China)
Crew rescued after second ship sinks in Philippines Sep 7, 2009
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Survivor found after Philippines ferry sinks Sep 7, 2009
Rescue efforts have been continuing off the coast of Zamboanga where the Superferry 9 got into trouble before dawn on Sunday with nearly 1,000 passengers and crew on board ... "We lost the boy. He drowned," she told local television in between sobs at the Zamboanga city ferry terminal, where the shocked survivors were taken. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Sixty missing after ferry sinks Sep 7, 2009
Survivors arrive in Zamboanga after their rescue ... The Philippine coastguard chief, Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, said 900 of 968 passengers and crew on board the ferry were transferred to two nearby commercial ships, a navy gunboat and a fishing boat hours after the ferry began to list off Zamboanga del Norte province before dawn. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Crew of sunken vessel saved: Philippine coastguard Sep 7, 2009
On Sunday, a passenger ferry sank off southern Zamboanga peninsula. The vessel was carrying 968 people, based on its official manifest. (Yahoo! Asia News)
* Ferry sinks off Philippines killing five, 63 still missing Sep 7, 2009
At Zamboanga City, stunned survivors could be seen disembarking from the boats that rescued them, many of them still half-naked and bare-foot after leaping into the water. The ferry issued a distress call at about 3:30am, 11km off the coast of Zamboanga Peninsula and some 19 hours into its journey from General Santos City. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Nine dead, at least 30 missing after Philippine ferry sinks Sep 7, 2009
Nine people died and more than 30 were missing yesterday, although rescuers saved about 900 terrified victims on the Superferry 9 after it turned on its side 9 miles off Zamboanga del Norte Province. The vessel s violent rotation roused frightened passengers from their sleep and sent many jumping in the darkness into the water, coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said. (Boston Globe)
Philippines Rescues 957 From Sunken Ferry, Works to Contain Oil Spillage Sep 7, 2009
The foundered after sending a distress signal at about 3:30 a.m. yesterday that it had listed to one side in the vicinity of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Commander Armando Balilo, the coast guards public information officer, said in a phone interview from Manila. The vessel had 968 passengers, crew and sea marshals aboard, he added. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Dozens missing from sunken ferry Sep 7, 2009
Nine people died when the SuperFerry 9 listed then sank, but more than 900 were rescued from life rafts near the southern city of Zamboanga. Officials are hopeful some passengers may still be drifting in life rafts. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Cargo ship crew rescued Sep 7, 2009
"We lost the boy. He drowned," she told local television in between sobs at the Zamboanga city ferry terminal, where the shocked survivors were taken. An investigation into the cause of the accident was to start on Tuesday, as questions continued to be asked about what could have gone wrong for the 23-year-old Japanese-built vessel in relatively calm weather. (iAfrica.com)
2 killed as ferry with 1,000 capsizes in Philippines Sep 6, 2009
Teodoro, also defense chief, said navy ships and helicopters have also participated in the rescue operation with the coast guard team at the wreck site off the Zamboanga peninsular coast. Superferry 9 sailed out of the southern city General Santos Saturday night and is expected to reach the central city of Iloilolate Sunday. (Xinhuanet, China)
Philippine Ferry Lists, Sinks, Killing Three People; With 88 Still Missing Sep 6, 2009
The Superferry 9 sent a distress signal at about 3:30 a.m. local time that it had listed to one side in the vicinity of the Zamboanga Peninsula while bound for the central province of Iloilo from General Santos City in the south, Commander Armando Balilo, the coast guards public information officer, said in a phone interview. On board the vessel were 968 passengers, crews and sea marshals, he added. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Two dead as ferry sinks Sep 6, 2009
The ship sank about six nautical miles off the west coast of Zamboanga peninsula on Mindanao island, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. Rescuers were five hours into an operation to evacuate 847 passengers listed on board the Philippines-flagged Superferry 9, which was on its way to the central port of Iloilo from General Santos City in the south. (iAfrica.com)
Three dead, dozens missing as Philippines ferry sinks Sep 6, 2009
We are searching for all possible areas like the coastal areas," near the site of the sinking, said Tamayo in a radio interview. "Navy ships, airforce aircraft are still scouring the area," he said. The ferry got into trouble before dawn and issued a distress call around 4:00 am (2000 GMT Saturday), six nautical miles off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula in southern Mindanao island. The boat sank several hours later as rescue operations were under way. Three people were known to have died,... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Hundreds saved from Philippines ferry Sep 6, 2009
The passenger ferry was sailing off the southern Zamboanga peninsula when it began listing. It issued a distress call, prompting the coastguard, the navy, the air force and private boats to help. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
More Philippine terror arrests Sep 1, 2009
The RSM was founded in 1991 by Ahmed Islam Santos, who was arrested in October 2005 in Zamboanga City. It was believed to have carried out the region's most deadly attack since the 2002 Bali bombings - the sinking in February 2004 of SuperFerry 14, sailing from Manila to Davao City, which killed 116 people. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
* Police say head of Philippine terror group arrested Aug 26, 2009
He will also be tried for a second blast in the southern port of Zamboanga that wounded 26 people, and a 2005 attack on a Philippine army detachment that left 10 soldiers dead. The same year Pareja took part in a failed bombing operation codenamed Big Bang that targeted Manila establishments frequented by Americans and other foreigners, Verzosa said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Philippine leader calls for extremists to be annihilated Aug 16, 2009
AFP , ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Sunday, Aug 16, 2009, Page 5 ... The president made the remarks in a command conference in Zamboanga, where she visited wounded soldiers and attended the wake of the troopers killed fighting the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists on southern Basilan island on Thursday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Philippine leader calls for 'annihilation' of extremists Aug 16, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - President Gloria Arroyo had called for the "annihilation" of Muslim extremists in the southern Philippines after 23 soldiers died in a bloody battle, her defence minister said Saturday ... Arroyo made the remarks in Zamboanga, where she visited wounded soldiers and attended a wake for troopers killed while fighting the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists on southern Basilan island on Thursday. (Yahoo! Asia News)
* Philippine army raids rebel camp in south Aug 14, 2009
SEARCH CONTINUES: The military said it was hunting about 200 militants who were involved in clashes yesterday and that additional troops could be dispatched AFP , ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Friday, Aug 14, 2009, Page 5. A nurse attends to a wounded soldier at a military hospital in Zamboanga in the Philippines yesterday ... Soldiers who airlifted their dead comrades to a military base in nearby Zamboanga City said those who died were hit by sniper fire. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Major Attacks By Abu Sayyaf In Philippines Aug 13, 2009
October 2002: Nail-laden bomb detonates in Zamboanga city, killing four, including an American Green Beret. Four more bomb attacks during the month kill 16. (CBS News -- World)
43 Philippine soldiers, Muslim extremists dead in clash Aug 13, 2009
At least four wounded soldiers were seen being flown in by helicopter to the southern city of Zamboanga. Soldiers who brought the dead bodies back to Zamboanga City said many of their slain comrades had apparently been hit by sniper fire. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
43 Philippine soldiers, rebels killed in clash: army Aug 13, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - At least 23 soldiers and 20 Abu Sayyaf militants were killed when the army raided a training camp run by the Al-Qaeda-linked rebels in the southern Philippines, the military said Thursday ... Soldiers who airlifted their dead comrades to a military base in nearby Zamboanga City said those who died were hit by sniper fire. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Philippine city lives in constant fear Aug 11, 2009
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines Restaurant owner Lyra Quitay is blind in one eye ... "It's the trauma of living in Zamboanga City." ... Just when authorities think the insurgents are on the run, they resurface to detonate a bomb, abduct a hostage or conduct a public execution, leaving Zamboanga City's 700,000 residents continually on edge. (Honolulu Advertiser)
* Italian Red Cross worker released in the Philippines Jul 13, 2009
Freed Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni hugs his wife Kwan, left, and their daughter Leticia shortly after arriving at a military airbase in Manila yesterday from Zamboanga after his release. PHOTO: AFP. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Italian freed in Philippines after 6 months Jul 12, 2009
Vagni was later flown to southern Zamboanga city, where Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and armed forces chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado will turn him over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. "Skillful negotiations and incessant pressure by relentless operations by members of the security forces won the release of Vagni," Philippine marine spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said. (MSNBC -- International)
Korean kidnapped in S Philippines May 28, 2009
The "Pentagon," blamed for at least 50 kidnapping cases in Mindanao, first gained notoriety on October 17, 2001, when it abducted Italian priest Guissepe Pierrantoni on his mission in Dimatali town, Zamboanga del Sur province. Pierrantoni was released on April 8, 2002 after six months in captivity. (Xinhuanet, China)
Muslim militants let 3 Filipino teachers go May 27, 2009
The teachers, working in far-flung southern islands, were abducted Jan. 23 from a boat off Zamboanga city, one of the several ransom kidnappings blamed on Abu Sayyaf guerrillas ... 5 million pesos) up to the last minute, but government negotiators stuck to a no-ransom policy, Zamboanga Mayor Celso Lobregat said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
An equal exchange May 22, 2009
Brian and Laureen Goguen hosted Alvin Gaw Hung, a certified public accountant and part-time teacher at Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Along with visiting Brian s business, Brian D. Goguen Professional Corporation, the two stayed up late watching Celtic s games. (Billerica Minuteman, MA)
* World News Quick Take May 19, 2009
Doroteo Gonzales, 61, was snatched by gunmen on April 25 from his house in Zamboanga city and brought to nearby Basilan island, where al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding at least five other people in a surge of ransom kidnappings. At least three gunmen believed to be involved in Gonzales abduction have been arrested, regional military spokesman Captain Neil Estrella said, without elaborating. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
'More than 20' Muslim rebels killed in Philippines May 12, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - More than 20 Muslim extremists have been killed in fierce fighting in the southern Philippines in retaliatory attacks following the gunning down of a local police chief, police said Monday. The fighting in the southern island of Jolo broke out after Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf members ambushed Chief Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, killing him and four of his men last Thursday. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Philippines police rescue hostage Apr 18, 2009
Mr Notter will be flown to the southern city of Zamboanga to be reunited with colleagues from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after undergoing a medical check up. An earlier report said he had been released by Abu Sayyaf militants. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Swiss hostage released Apr 18, 2009
Notter was due to be flown to the southern city of Zamboanga later Saturday where he was to be reunited with colleagues from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The government said they had no immediate details about the fate of a second Red Cross hostage, 62-year-old Italian national Eugenio Vagni who was believed to be unwell and in need of hernia surgery. (iAfrica.com)
Swiss Red Cross hostage released in Philippines Apr 18, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Philippine security forces Saturday rescued a Swiss Red Cross worker held hostage for three months by Islamic militant guerrillas, government officials said ... Notter was due to be flown to the southern city of Zamboanga later Saturday where he was to be reunited with colleagues from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (Yahoo! Asia News)
* Filipina aid worker rests after hostage ordeal Apr 4, 2009
AFP, ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Saturday, Apr 04, 2009, Page 5. Mary Jean Lacaba, second left, a Filipina International Red Cross worker kidnapped by Muslim extremists, waves prior to boarding her chartered plane for a flight to Manila from Zamboanga yesterday, a day after her release by the Abu Sayyaf ... Lacaba was flown from Jolo to the port city of Zamboanga, where she was reunited in private with her husband before boarding a chartered plane to Manila. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Philippines says Red Cross hostages are alive Apr 1, 2009
"We're still hoping for a negotiated peaceful conclusion to this entire thing," Puno told reporters in the southern port city of Zamboanga after he met local government and security officials on Jolo. The Abu Sayyaf rebel group had demanded the withdrawal of troops from Jolo island and threatened to kill one of the hostages if the demand was not met by 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Tuesday. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
* Manila pulls troops out of Jolo Mar 29, 2009
ICRC AID WORKERS:: The Philippine military made the decision after the Red Cross director made a rare televised appeal to Abu Sayyaf rebels on behalf of the hostages AGENCIES, MANILA AND ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Sunday, Mar 29, 2009, Page 4 ... I think we are more than bending over backwards in order that the kidnappers will not feel threatened, Puno told reporters in the southern city of Zamboanga. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Philippines pulls back troops to save ICRC hostage Mar 28, 2009
"I think we are more than bending over backwards in order that the kidnappers will not feel threatened," Puno told reporters in the southern city of Zamboanga. He said the pull-out would begin later on Saturday when Jolo governor Abdusakur Tan returned to the island, where Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni were seized on January 15. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
* Fighting kills three soldiers, six militants in Philippines Mar 18, 2009
AGENCIES, MANILA AND ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009, Page 5. Three soldiers and six Muslim militants were killed in the southern island of Jolo as fighting raged for the second day between troops and rebels holding captive three international Red Cross staff, the Philippine military said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Ysabelle's Fiery Raw Anchovies Sala... Mar 18, 2009
Filipino Festive Dishes from Manila in the North to Zamboanga in the South ... Davao boasts of panga (broiled tuna jaws) and ukoy (shrimp and sweet potato fritters), while Zamboanga, one of the last Spanish strongholds in the Philippines, is famed for its sweet-tasting indigenous crabs called curacha, the main ingredient for guinataang curacha (crabs in roasted coconut sauce). (Suite101.com)
* Philippine hostages enter third month Mar 15, 2009
AFP, ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES Sunday, Mar 15, 2009, Page 4. Three Red Cross workers abducted by Muslim militants enter their third month in captivity in the southern Philippines today with no sign of progress in negotiations. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Kidnapped Red Cross workers alive in southern Philippines Mar 15, 2009
In another part of the southern Mindanao region, gunmen abducted three female public school teachers late on Friday in seas off Sibugay Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay province, police said. Four gunmen on an old, white speedboat pointed guns at the wooden-hull motorised ferry boat carrying the teachers, frightening the boatman who jumped overboard and swam away. (AlertNet)
US payback, or pork, for Filipino vets? Mar 10, 2009
There is no exact figure given by either government for the number of US troops in-country at any given time, though most are known to be stationed in Zamboanga on the southern island of Mindanao. Some 6,000 US troops will participate in the joint Balikatan exercises scheduled to be held this April in the Bicol region. (Asia Times Online)
The Abu Sayyaf fight flares Feb 26, 2009
Following the ICRC abductions, on January 23, three Filipino school teachers were taken hostage in Zamboanga. A Sri Lankan peace advocate, Omar Jaleel, was kidnapped last year. (Asia Times Online)
Kidnapped 7-year-old rescued in S Philippines Feb 17, 2009
ZAMBOANGA, the Philippines, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces on Tuesday rescued a seven-year-old son of a local bank manager from the hands of armed kidnappers in the southern province of Basilan ... Porticos was at least the 14th being snatched by the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and affiliated gangs in Jolo, Basilan islands, and nearby Zamboanga city in the past month. (Xinhuanet, China)
Ransom, politics embolden Philippine kidnappers Feb 11, 2009
Security situation deteriorated recently in Muslim Mindanao as at least 12 people were kidnapped during the past month in Zamboanga city, Basilan and Jolo islands, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines' Mindanao region. However, it is unfair to blame all kidnappings to the Abu Sayyafs. (Xinhuanet, China)
Living on the edge Feb 8, 2009
Julie Alipala, Zamboanga correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper, remembers when, in September 2007, four military intelligence men appeared at her local shopping centre and started playing with her six-year-old son ... Al Jacinto, editor-in-chief of the Mindanao Examiner, based in Zamboanga City, said he was intimidated last August after his stories angered the city council. (BBC News)
