STATEMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD GORDON REGARDING PROPOSAL TO PROBE SULU VICE GOV. LADY ANNE SAHIDULLA

We must acknowledge Sulu Vice Governor Lady Anne Sahidulla's role in securing the safe release of the three workers of the ICRC.

As the Vice Governor of Sulu and the Chair of the PNRC Chapter in her province, the responsibility of finding a peaceful, effective and humanitarian solution to the hostage crisis rested on her shoulders. Moreover, she was mandated by the government to work on resolving the crisis.

It is difficult to describe the perils that Sahidulla risked in assuming her role, especially considering that the fact that the Vice Governor is a woman and the places she had to go to in order to talk with the Abu Sayyaf were deep in the remote areas of Sulu.

As she carried out her role, I was in constant communication with Vice governor Sahidulla and always reminded her to keep safe. We were always concerned for her safety as she is a part of the Red Cross family.

Having intimate and unique knowledge as well as the trust and respect of the people of Sulu, Sahidulla was able to communicate effectively with the Abu Sayyaf which made it possible to ensure the safety of the hostages, bring them food and medicines, and eventually secure their safe release from their abductors.

In the process, Sahidulla's use of peaceful means to address the hostage crisis saved not only the lives of the hostages but also of soldiers, the Abu Sayyaf, and other people who might be hurt if an all out conflict was pursued.

Investigating Sahidulla on account of giving the Abu Sayyaf "good will money" may be the effect of a lack of understanding and acceptance of the unique and unfamiliar culture of the people of Sulu. It must not be forgotten that it was Sahidulla's intimate and personal understanding of the culture of the people of Sulu that made it possible to ensure the release of the ICRC hostages.

Probing her culpability under our laws for engaging in a cultural practice unique in her part of the country must be pursued with great care and with the good counsel of those who understand the culture of the people of Sulu.

We hope, however, that the conduct of such a probe will lead to our enlightenment and add to our understanding of the people of Sulu and make us more aware of their plight.