MILF rogues tagged in kidnap


Leaders asked to talk to Irish priest’s abductors
BY VICTOR REYES and RAYMOND AFRICA

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado yesterday asked the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation to convince their rogue members release Irish priest Michael Sinnott who was snatched October 11 in Pagadian City.

Ibrado said Sinnott’s captors are rogue MILF rebels affiliated with the MILF’s Special Operations Group.

"That is initial information that we received… But they (MILF) are denying it so we cannot force this on them. Definitely, they can help. If they can help, then it is welcome," he said.

The MILF has said it was not involved in the kidnapping and offered to help in the rescue.

Last week, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Sinnott’s captors are from the 113th Base Command of the MILF. He said the captors are led by a sub-commander whose name he said he could not recall.

The military has said Sinnott was snatched by a group of pirates and subsequently turned over to rogue MILF rebels who are now keeping the 79-year-old priest at the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, a bailiwick of the MILF.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno yesterday said Sinnott is in the hands of Commander Aloy Alsree, commander of the 113th Base Command which he said the MILF could not control.

"The kidnappers of Fr. Sinnott are directly connected to or closely associated with the MILF. They are identified," Puno said.

He also said Sinnott is being kept at the tri-boundaries of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Puno also said while the MILF’s offer to help is welcome, it should be within the confines of the agreements that the MILF has forged with the government.

"There will be a resumption of the peace process soon and we don’t want to create a situation that would complicate the peace negotiations," Puno said.

All requests of the MILF to get involved in the operations to secure Sinnott’s release should be coursed through the government peace panel, he said.

"From this point onward the Crisis Management Committee and the Philippine National Police will be cutting off all (communication) with the MILF and direct all communications to the (government peace) panel to simplify things," he said.

CMC spokesman June Allan Molde remained mum on the identity of the suspects but said whoever they are, they should release Sinnott because the health condition of the priest is of "great importance."

Sinnott, who has undergone quadruple heart bypass, appeared in a video where he relayed his captors’ demand for a $2-million ransom. The video was aired by media over the weekend.

Sinnott said his captors are led by one Abu Jandal. The CMC said they are upholding the government’s no-ransom policy.

Molde said the kidnappers still have not made contact.

The PNP said direct rescue operations are a last option.

"There are several options that may be conducted but it will be a last option, to conduct direct rescue operations," said PNP chief Jesus Verzosa. "We start up with negotiations so the primordial concern is the safety of the victim, we do not want to put at risk the life of the hostage."

Puno said he would check with the government panel in the peace talks with the MILF if the 113th Base Command is registered with the panel.

Puno met with officials of the crisis management committee early this week to discuss the developments in the kidnapping incident.

He said one of the concerns tackled was the proposal of the MILF leadership to send a company-size group of its men to communicate with the kidnappers.

Puno said he rejected the proposal. He said a force of some 120 men is not needed just to convey the message to the kidnappers.

"We don’t understand why they need a company-size delegation and why they need a security group to accompany them to (talk to) a group that they are saying will listen to them…Puwede namang dalawang tao lang ipadala nila na may dalang cellphone," Puno said.

Puno said he relayed his opposition to the proposal through the government peace panel headed by Ambassador Rafael Seguis.

Puno also said he feared the MILF has really no control over its men, like in the case of Commanders Bravo, Pangalian, and Umbra Kato who attacked civilian communities in Central Mindanao in July last year. The attacks were among the reasons the peace talks were suspended.

The MILF leadership has said it did not authorize the attacks.

"The MILF leadership says they do not allow its men to engage in illegal activities such as kidnapping…But they are incapable, di nila kayang kontrolin ang tao nila. They have to show some control over their men, in an organization which they lead," Puno said.

He said the MILF 113th Base Command was also involved in the attacks in Central Mindanao.

More on News

Search