Misuari’s MNLF confirms 3 foreigners now captives of new ASG group in Sulu

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 1): Misuari’s MNLF confirms 3 foreigners now captives of new ASG group in Sulu

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) group of chairman Nur Misuari yesterday confirmed that the three foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped from Samal Island are now under captivity by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group in the jungles of Sulu.

Rev. Absalom Cerveza, spokesman of the MNLF-Misuari group, said the victims are now captives by a new group composed of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“We confirm that they (hostages) are now in Sulu…they are being held by a new group of Abu Sayyaf bandits,” Cerveza told The Daily Tribune.

According to Cerveza, the MNLF intelligence agents know the location and the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) band now holding Norwegian Kjartan Sekkinstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Filipina Maritess Flor.

“But it is not for us to divulge such information…that’s for the police and military to find out,” said Cerveza.

Citing information gathered by MNLF forces, Cerveza said that the actual kidnapping was not pulled off by the Abu Sayyaf group. “They (hostages) were only turned over to the ASG,” he said without identifying the band which staged the actual abduction.

Cerveza maintained that the MNLF-Misuari group is willing to assist the government in addressing the issue.

“We will not hesitate to help if we are asked…but proper protocols should be established,” said Cerveza.

“There should be no ransom as stressed by Chairman Misuari and no one should die,” he added.
Cerveza reiterated the MNLF stance that it neither condones criminal acts nor coddles bandits.

Another Tribune source in Camp Crame, who asked not to be named, seconded Cerveza’s confirmation that the hostages are now in Sulu.

The source said that the four victims are now being kept by the group of Yasser Igasan and Alhabsy Misaya, composed of about 300 fighters.

The hostages reportedly reached the shores of Parang at around 2 a.m. on Sept. 27.

“Accordingly, the said kidnap victims, onboard a Fuzo watercraft, landed on the shoreline of Sitio Pitotan, Barangay Buton Mahablo in Parang,” the source said.

The Camp Crame official said the four hostages were fetched by more or less 50 Abu Sayyaf men led by Yasser Aksan and Alih Rajuli, who are under Misaya.

About a dozen gunmen took the four hostages from the posh Ocean View resort on Samal Island last Sept. 21.

Government authorities, particularly the Navy and the Coast Guard, immediately set up a sea barrier along Davao Gulf to prevent the kidnap group and their hostages to sneak into Sulu, a known stronghold of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/misuari-s-mnlf-confirms-3-foreigners-now-captives-of-new-asg-group-in-sulu