Philippines: MILF Denies Involvement In Kidnappings
JAKARTA (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A series of kidnappings of businessmen in Mindanao has been blamed on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The separatist MILF this weekend denied the allegations.
MILF spokesman for Western Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan Ustadz Shariff Julabbi indicated the MILF’s disappointment with the authorities who easily blamed them for the series of abductions.
Julabbi branded the accusation as a part of the military's propaganda to discredit the MILF in the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), where they (the MILF) are seeking recognition for observer status.
He said the government has always made them a favorite "whipping group" every time there are kidnapping incidents in Mindanao. Besides the MILF, the Abu Sayyaf and the NPA, a communist based military grouping, have also been blamed for kidnappings.
The most famous kidnapping group to date remains the Abu Sayyaf, which is still holding two hostages in the province of Sulu on Jolo island. The Filipino army is currently pursuing a campaign against members of the Sayyaf group, whom have holed themselves up in the province.
The military has tagged the MILF as responsible in the kidnapping of several businessmen, or the wives of some businessmen, who are either Chinese or rich Filipino Christians. However, no suspects have been identified as yet.
Military officials said the MILF’s Special Operations Group (SOG) in Western Mindanao were the ones responsible in the kidnapping of a rich fish trader’s wife who owns several fishing vessels in Zamboanga del Sur.
Ten of the armed men that seized the businessman’s wife from her residence on November 28th were killed. Three of the dead were identified as MILF-SOG members, reports the military.
Army officials said they are still tracking down kidnappers who were initially monitored in the vicinity of the eleven groups of islands. The eleven groups of islands is a known jump point for kidnappers and is used as a temporary refuge after a staged kidnap.
