The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will suspend its efforts to secure the release of abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott if the government will not retract its claim that the secessionist group is behind the kidnapping.

MILF military chief Sammy Al-Mansoor said the government, particularly Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, has until the weekend to take back his accusation that the rebel group’s 113th Base Command is holding the 79-year-old priest.

"We look to the end of this week for our partner in the peace process, the Arroyo administration, to effect such a riposte or correction that placed into bad light the very unit of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) tasked by the MILF Central Committee for the rescue of the priest, taking into utmost consideration his safety," Al-Mansoor said in a statement posted on the MILF website, luwaran.com.

"Otherwise we have to take the hard decision to call off our rescue efforts if until the end of the week, no statement to that effect is issued," he added.

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Puno, in a press conference last Tuesday, identified the MILF leader allegedly behind Sinnott’s abduction as one Aloy Al Asree, who he said was also behind last year’s attacks on several civilian targets in Central Mindanao. [See: MILF leader in Sinnott kidnap case identified]

No need for retraction

Presidential adviser on the peace process Anabelle Abaya meanwhile said there is no need for the government to take back Puno's statement since the DILG chief does not represent the entire government.

“There is nothing to take back because as far as we are concerned, we’re giving them (MILF) the benefit of the doubt," she said.

Abaya said she is considering the MILF's assistance in the kidnapping case as a "confidence-building measure."

Puno for his part said he is standing by his statement. “I’m willing to eat my words if I’m wrong," he said.

Sinnott was abducted from his house in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, last October 11. In a video obtained by the military and aired over GMA News over the weekend, the priest said his abductors are asking for a $2-million ransom in exchange for his freedom. [See: RP abductors ask $2M for release of Irish priest]

The MILF, the largest secessionist organization in the country, said its 113th Base Command is the unit it deployed to locate and possibly secure the release of Sinnott.

Difficult decision

“The decision to put on hold our role in the rescue mission is a difficult one to make, but we have to make it. There is no other way; otherwise we also destroy ourselves and the very foundation principles that the MILF stands for," Al-Mansoor said.

The government and the MILF have had a ceasefire since July to prepare for the resumption of peace negotiations.

The government is confident that the abduction of Sinnott would not derail the improving peace process with the rebel group.

“The kidnapping of Father Michael Sinnott is not related to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-MILF peace talks. This could be the work of misguided scalawags," said government chief negotiator Rafael Seguis.

Seguis said the resumption of formal peace talks with the MILF is “inching closer" after the signing of the agreement on protection civilians in armed conflict areas in Southern Philippines, the last among the three confidence building measures identified by both parties before their return to the negotiating table. - GMANews.TV

Yeng Constantino denies lesbian rumor

MANILA – Rock Princess Yeng Constantino may not wear high heels and sexy clothes like other girls, but she said this does not mean that she is a lesbian.

Constantino made this clarification amid rumors about her sexual preference. The “Pinoy Dream Academy” season 1 grand winner said the rumors may have stemmed from the fact that she doesn't love to dress up much.

"Pero ang masasabi ko doon ay hindi naman ako 'yong typical o stereotype na babae na kikay o naka-heels or whatever. Pero it doesn't mean na [I'm lesbian]," the singer said.

She added: "Alam ko [may nagdududa]. Hindi ko naman kasi maple-please ang lahat kahit anong gawin ko.”

The 20-year-old singer, who is promoting her third album called “Lapit,” in fact revealed that she has a huge crush on a popular guy musician. She, however, declined to identify him.

Currently, Constantino is busy promoting her latest CD, which is co-produced by former Eraserheads' drummer Raymund Marasigan.

Included tracks in Constantino's album are "Wag Kang Magtanong," "Jeepney," "Love Story," "Pag Ayaw Mo Na," "Siguro," "Takas," "Maghintay," "Wag Na," "Akin Ka Na," "Siguro" and "Lapit" as its carrier single. -Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Showbiz bets can still do shows after filing COCs

MANILA - Showbiz people planning to join the 2010 national elections can still appear in television programs and movies even after filing their certificate of candidacy, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez said Friday.

However, Jimenez asked actors and actresses to be fair and avoid abusing their privilege of appearing on national TV and movies.

"We cannot prevent them from doing their jobs and earning money, but in the interest of fairness, let's not use the platform to campaign," Jimenez said in an interview over ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda.

The spokesman said the Comelec is currently deliberating on the petition filed by actress Ara Mina, who is planning to run for councilor in the second district of Quezon City.

Mina asked the Comelec if actors and actresses can still appear on shows or in movies right after filing their COCs. She explained the she filed the petition because of the new dates set by the poll body for the filing of COCs.

The deadline for the filing of COCs, which ends on December 1, is almost three months earlier than in previous elections. This is due to the automated elections in 2010.

The Comelec needs more time to print new ballots which will include the names of the candidates running for various posts. Previously, the ballots only contained blank spaces where voters write the names of their preferred candidates.

Mina said the Comelec has to come up with guidelines for showbiz people so that they can turn down job offers as early as possible.

'Killing' Ara Mina

The actress said that with her decision to run in 2010, people behind her television soap operas "May Tinik sa Dibdib" and "Darna" are now thinking of ways to remove her from the shows.

She said killing her characters is one of the possible solutions.

The actress said that aside from acting, she is also busy doing mini-concerts in and outside the country.

She said there may be more offers for her, and she needs clear guidelines from the Comelec before she can decide whether to accept them.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20091106/tph-showbiz-bets-can-still-do-shows-afte-85c5a6c.html

Malaysia rescues 59 pythons from dinner table: official

Slideshow: Faces of Asia PH

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - – Malaysian wildlife authorities rescued 59 pythons from being skinned and sold to restaurants and leather dealers, an official said Thursday.

Wildlife and National Parks Department enforcement head Saharudin Anan said the pythons were rescued in a raid last Monday from a warehouse south of the capital.

"We found the pythons, together with python and lizard skins in the store where they were in the midst of being sold," he told AFP.

He added that two individuals had been arrested and were being investigated under the Wildlife Act.

"The python meat would end up on dinner tables in the region while the skins would be used in making exotic leather luggage for international markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam," he added.

Wildlife groups say the trafficking of wildlife, for use in traditional medicine or to be eaten in kitchens abroad, has hit alarming levels in Malaysia.

Authorities in recent months have seized tiger skins, the remains of civet cats, long-tailed monkeys and wild boars that were destined for sale in neighbouring countries.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20091105/tap-malaysia-wildlife-snakes-0193655.html