Thursday, October 1, 2015

MILF helping gov't locate 3 kidnapped foreigners in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1): MILF helping gov't locate 3 kidnapped foreigners in Mindanao

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is helping the government search and possibly rescue the three foreign nationals and Filipina abducted in a resort in Samal Island more than 10 days ago, a ranking MILF official on Thursday said.

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF first vice chairman, said the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF provides a mechanism for the MILF and the government to coordinate to go after and “isolate” kidnap and ransom groups, criminals and terrorists.

Jaafar explained that this mechanism is under the group called the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

He added the MILF field commanders, in compliance with the existing ceasefire agreement, have been advised to “watch out” for the abductors of Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Maritess Flor.

There have been reports that they were taken by the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group and brought to Sulu.

Absalom Cervesa, speaking for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has said that MNLF chair Nur Misuari knew where the kidnappers and the victims are in Sulu.

He refused to give details since Misuari is wanted by Philippine government for the Zamboanga siege.

Jaafar said the MILF has forces in Davao Oriental, Saranggani and Davao Occidental where the kidnap victims, taken from Ocean View resort in Garden City of Samal on Sept. 21, could have been kept.

Government forces have launched air, ground and sea search and rescue operations but so far no solid proof where the victims were actually taken.

Informed sources said foreigners were taken by the group of Al Habsi Misaya, a former member of the Abu Sayyaf Group who formed his owned group of kidnappers.

Misaya led in a series of kidnappings in Zamboanga Sibugay area, including the kidnapping of Malaysian resort owner in Sabah last year and Filipino factory workers eight years ago.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=810158

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