MNLF fighters refuse to leave Abu Sayyaf camps

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front remain holed up in the jungle lairs of the Abu Sayyaf that the MNLF overran in Patikul, Sulu last week,  a security official said yesterday.

“They are still in the area. For what purpose we don’t know yet,” Sulu police director Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra said, referring to the MNLF group led by Habier Malik.

The fighting between the MNLF and the Abu Sayyaf last week left eight MNLF fighters and 21 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas dead.

Freyra said the continued presence of MNLF forces in the captured Abu Sayyaf camps could be meant to prevent the bandits from regrouping and use the area as the hideout for their kidnap victims.

“The MNLF forces have considered the Abu Sayyaf as lawless elements,” he said.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, MNLF’s senior member to the central committee and chairman of the Islamic Command Council, said they received reports that some MNLF members have pulled out.

Hashim also lauded the MNLF for reaching out to the families of slain Abu Sayyaf members to explain their operation to ensure stability in the province.

“It’s good that there were efforts to prevent possible continuous bloodshed,” Hashim said.

Meanwhile, Hashim reiterated his appeal to their founding chairman, Nur Misuari, to order a halt in the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf to avert a possible clan feud or rido.