No progress in MNLF-Abu negotiations on hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Emissaries of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) sent to negotiate the release of Abu Sayyaf hostages in Sulu were still in a “standoff” with the militant group, a police official said yesterday.

Despite this, Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police director, said the MNLF negotiators were still in the island-province to seek the freedom of the Abu Sayyaf captives, including five foreigners.

Freyra though hinted that the MNLF, which signed a peace pact with the government in 1996, was making the move to cleanse its ranks. He said a number of Abu Sayyaf militants have relatives in the MNLF.

Freyra, however, acknowledged the MNLF’s effort “to negotiate and free the victims without firing a single shot or wasting a bullet.”

The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding captive five foreigners, including two European bird watchers and a Jordanian journalist, and four Filipinos.

President Aquino met with top officials of the Western Mindanao Command here the other day. It was not known if the MNLF negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf were discussed in the closed-door briefing.