ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2008) – Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels seized Saturday at least 8 people in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, reports said.
The rebels, led by Sattar Alih, abducted the villagers for a still unknown reason. Regional and provincial police and military officials declined to give any statement and their spokesman refused to answer phone calls made by journalists.
A local radio network Radyo Agong reported that the rebels seized the villagers in the town of Maluso. But the MILF in Basilan said the rebels only used the villagers to guide them to the town’s hinterlands and that all of the civilians are now back to their families.
Just last week, Abu Sayyaf militants have released a kidnapped Filipino nurse, Preciosa Feliciano, after four months in captivity in Basilan in exchange for P2 million ransom.
Feliciano, 24, was freed November 7 in Tipo-Tipo town. She was kidnapped July 7 in Zamboanga City and brought to Basilan by boat.
The rebels, led by Sattar Alih, abducted the villagers for a still unknown reason. Regional and provincial police and military officials declined to give any statement and their spokesman refused to answer phone calls made by journalists.
A local radio network Radyo Agong reported that the rebels seized the villagers in the town of Maluso. But the MILF in Basilan said the rebels only used the villagers to guide them to the town’s hinterlands and that all of the civilians are now back to their families.
Just last week, Abu Sayyaf militants have released a kidnapped Filipino nurse, Preciosa Feliciano, after four months in captivity in Basilan in exchange for P2 million ransom.
Feliciano, 24, was freed November 7 in Tipo-Tipo town. She was kidnapped July 7 in Zamboanga City and brought to Basilan by boat.
The Abu Sayyaf, headed by Puruji Indaman and Nur Hassan Jamiri, is still holding Millet Mendoza and Joed Anthony Pilangga. A fourth victim, Esperancita Hupida, was freed October 30 after private negotiators allegedly paid P2 million.Families of kidnapped victims on Friday appealed to President Gloria Arroyo to help secure the release of the hostages.
Pilanga, a university student, was snatched on October 17 outside their house in Zamboanga City. Kidnappers have demanded P20 million from Pilangga's family; P7 million for Mendoza's freedom.
The families of Pilangga and Mendoza said they cannot afford to pay ransom and have appealed to the kidnappers to free the hostages.
The Abu Sayyaf also kidnapped nine people in recent months in Basilan and sent letters to Christians living on the island threatening them with harm if they do not embrace Islam. The letters were signed by Indama and Jamiri. (Mindanao Examiner)
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