Retire to peaceful Mindanao?

[Dakine 26]

BREAKING NEWS: Al-Qaeda-linked Group Beheads Kidnapped Christian Farmer

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 (1:57 pm)

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with BosNewsLife's Stefan J, Bos

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BosNewsLife)-- An elderly Christian farmer who was abducted in the Philippines nearly a month ago has been beheaded by a group with links to the Al-Qaeda terror group, the latest in a series of attacks against Christians, rights investigators confirmed Tuesday, May 19.

International Christian Concern, a major advocacy group, told BosNewsLife that 61-year-old Doroteo Gonzales was identified by his son after villagers discovered his severed head of Sunday, May 17.

“Police believe militants had transferred the victim to the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group that is currently holding at least five other hostages,” ICC said. The circumstances of the other captives were not immediately clear Tuesday, May 19.

Gonzales' family had reportedly been warned that Gonzales would be killed if they did not pay the ransom of 25 million pesos ($525,000) by Saturday, May 16.

GONZALES CAPTURED

Gunmen captured Gonzales from his home in Zamboanga city on April 25 and delivered him into the hands of Abu Sayyaf rebels on nearby Basilan Island, ICC said. “The extremist group, infamous for its brutality against Christians and foreigners, has ramped up its efforts to raise money for its activities by embarking on a kidnapping spree throughout the southern part of the country.”

Christians are often favored targets for these kidnappings, according to human rights groups. Just last month, militants reportedly beheaded another Christian farmer, Cosme Aballes, whom they had taken captive after raiding a Christian community in the same province.

The Philippine government has said radical Muslims have been trying trying to evict Christians from its Basilan Island base.

Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim militants have been warring in the southern Philippines for almost 30 years to establish an independent Islamic state. In 2007. “Abu Sayyaf rebels ordered civilians to deliver the severed heads of seven kidnapped Christians to military outposts in Jolo, another southern Philippine island,” ICC recalled.

KNOWN HOSTAGES

Three teachers, a lending-firm collector, and a peace activist are known hostages on Basilan Island. In Jolo, the extremist group is still holding Italian Red Cross Worker Eugenio Vagni, who was captured along with his two colleagues in January.

ICC's Regional Manager for East Asia, Natalia Rain, expressed concern over the situation. "Imagine living in a state where you know you may be seized from your home at any moment and have your fate thrust into the hands of radical terrorists,” Rain said.

“The brazenness of men who would behead an elderly man for his impoverished family's failure to pay an outrageous ransom should wake us up to the horrifying reality of this thirty-year conflict,”the official added.

[AngelSaint 0]

so mad with terrorists!!!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

[GaryC 7]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Yep, if things go to social were gone!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

I never got out of Metro Manila, except for one trip to Tagatay, and a boat ride to Corregidor. That area around Tagatay was nice and reminds me a lot of Northern California in some ways.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

Olongapo is my old stomping grounds.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

Olongapo is my old stomping grounds.

Isn't that a little close to Angeles City? Living that close might be too much of a temptation for a bored expat.

[Dakine 26]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

Olongapo is my old stomping grounds.

Isn't that a little close to Angeles City? Living that close might be too much of a temptation for a bored expat.

Young beautiful pinay with a price are available almost everywhere in PI.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

I hear Cebu is nice. I plan on retiring to Olongapo in Luzon. Been there many times and I like it.

Olongapo is my old stomping grounds.

Isn't that a little close to Angeles City? Living that close might be too much of a temptation for a bored expat.

Young beautiful pinay with a price are available almost everywhere in PI.

However, not quite that obvious away from the lights and traffic. I did check the Bay Walk in Manila my first evening, before they closed it, and yes, temptation is everywhere.

Edited May 22, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Tito Jorge 0]

So, Mindanao is not the garden spot anymore? Bummer. Luzon is too crowded for my tastes, and an island has to be big enough for me to get out of third gear on the highway. I will have to keep looking.

Well I think I'll still be retiring in Mindanao ...

Zamboanga is in the heart of Muslim territory ... not someplace I'd visit ...

But Mindanao is BIG ... 2nd largest island in Philippines ... Davao City is as safe as anyplace in Philippines ... and far cleaner and more crime free than just about any other place in Philippines ...

If you never got off Luzon ... you really dont know what you're missing ... my guess is that if you didnt like Metro Manila ... you'd probably love Davao City ... they are like night and day ...

-- George

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Radical Muslim beheading a Christian? I'm Shocked.

[tallcoolone 102]

But Mindanao is BIG ... 2nd largest island in Philippines ... Davao City is as safe as anyplace in Philippines ... and far cleaner and more crime free than just about any other place in Philippines ...

If you never got off Luzon ... you really dont know what you're missing ... my guess is that if you didnt like Metro Manila ... you'd probably love Davao City ... they are like night and day ...

[/b]

Davao City is the safest place you will find in PI.

They Mayor runs the city with a Iron Fist.

His death squads kill about 3 drug addict / Criminal each week, If your a Criminal in Davao then the Mayor's Death Squad will end your life.

Kinda like the Wild West back in the USA in the 1800's......

[Dakine 26]

But Mindanao is BIG ... 2nd largest island in Philippines ... Davao City is as safe as anyplace in Philippines ... and far cleaner and more crime free than just about any other place in Philippines ...

If you never got off Luzon ... you really dont know what you're missing ... my guess is that if you didnt like Metro Manila ... you'd probably love Davao City ... they are like night and day ...

[/b]

Davao City is the safest place you will find in PI.

They Mayor runs the city with a Iron Fist.

His death squads kill about 3 drug addict / Criminal each week, If your a Criminal in Davao then the Mayor's Death Squad will end your life.

Kinda like the Wild West back in the USA in the 1800's......

Yeah Davao is pretty safe but don't go cruising far from it.

Especially up thru Cotobato and farther North.

My wife's family has 20 hectares in Zamboanga and they are afraid to even go there! Anyone want to buy CHEAP?