Sulu state of emergency voided

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has nullified the proclamation by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan placing the province under a state of emergency following the kidnapping of three Red Cross personnel by the Abu Sayyaf in January 2009.

In a unanimous decision released yesterday, the SC ruled that Tan’s Proclamation No. 1, Series of 2009 and its implementing guidelines issued on March 31, 2009 were made with grave abuse of discretion.