MILF emissaries sent to Sulu to work for release of kidnapped filmmaker siblings

From InterAksyon (Jun 29): MILF emissaries sent to Sulu to work for release of kidnapped filmmaker siblings

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has sent a team of negotiators to help secure the release of two sisters kidnapped in Sulu while working on an independent film.

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said the negotiators will coordinate with commanders in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to help free independent filmmakers Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, daugthers of Datu Ustadz Abdul Basit Bansil, a former MILF leader and classmate of the group’s founding chairman Salamat Hashim.

The sisters were seized by gunmen in Barangay Liang, Patikul last Saturday.

He said they expected developments “in the next few days” and said the MILF’s involvement is in the spirit of peace negotiations with the government.

Speaking over a local radio, Jaafar appealed to the kidnappers to free the Bansil sisters.

"They have no capacity to pay, they are not rich, they are Muslims and they should be released soon to avoid displacement of civilians once the military launches offensives," Jaafar said.

Under a ceasefire agreement with government, the MILF is bound to help locate kidnapping victims held hostage in areas under its influence.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65196/milf-emissaries-sent-to-sulu-to-work-for-release-of-kidnapped-filmmaker-siblings