MILF releases abducted Marawi police chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6): MILF releases abducted Marawi police chief

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels (MILF) has freed the chief of police who was abducted early Friday in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province.

In a text message sent to Philippine News Agency, Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, Public Information Office chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that Supt. Christopher Panapan, chief of Marawi City Police, was released by his captors around 12:10 p.m. Friday, or some 12 hours after he was snatched at the city police station.

Panapan was turned over by his captors to former Mayor Benjamin Bagul of Balindong town and Col. Glen Macasero, commander of the Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade, in Barangay Nosa in Balindong, Lanao del Sur.

Sindac said the release of Panapan was made possible through the negotiation initiated by the local government unit of Balindong municipality.

He added that Panapan was unharmed.

Earlier, Balindong Vice Mayor Edris Manalocon volunteered to negotiate with the abductors led by Commander Bravo, an MILF commander based in Barangay Nusa, Balindong.

Panapan's abduction took place around 12:10 a.m. Friday when around 40 armed men raided the Marawi City police headquarters to rescue two of their detained comrades, who were arrested last week.

At the height of the commotion, the armed men abducted Panapan and shot his brother in law, identified only as Malik.

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