The 1st Infantry Division's 18th Infantry Battalion, helped by stakeholders in Basilan, has successfully facilitated the release of eight civilians Monday, miliutary officials said.
The eight were earlier reported kidnapped by suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front July 11.
Capt. Jefferson Somera, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said the victims were freed around 11:40 a.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Bohe Lebung, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.
Aiding them in their negotiations for the victims' release were members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MNLF and officials of the
According to 18th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. CJ Paolo P. Perez, the efforts to release the victims gained momentum with the support of Al-Barka Mayor Damsalam Lajid, Tipo-Tipo Mayor Thong Istarul, former Basilan Vice Gov. Alrashid Sakahul and ranking members of the MILF and MNLF.
The freed victims were identified as Faija Banua 44, Satra Banua 13, Haide Banua 9, Dalma Ambihal 50, Hapsa Ambihal 28, Kalipa Ambihal 22, Pasri Ambihal 2 and Haipa Hambihal, five months old.
The eight were taken last July 11 in the vicinity of Triangle, Brgy Malinis, Lamitan City Basilan by the group of MNLF Commander Addang Hassan, the military said.
The release of the victims is in exchange for the freeing of Hudjaima Ahlil, 21, Karima Ahlil, 15, and Raida Ahlil,13 at Sitio Riverside, Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City, Basilan around 7p.m. Sunday.
The three were abducted last July 9 prompting the MNLF leader to abduct eight people to ensure the release of his family.
The three are reportedly daughters of Commander Hassan.
Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad, Jr., 1st Infantry Division acting commander, commended all of the above-mentioned individuals for their aid in releasing the victims.
“I congratulate the Local Government Units of Basilan, our MNLF and MILF brothers and our soldiers for making the contending parties solved their disagreement in peaceful way,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=544385
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