Abducted school principal says captors want MNLF rebels freed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - A former captive school principal said her abductors staged her kidnapping as a reprisal to  of the  government's refusal to free the Basilan-based batch of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who surrendered at the height of the siege in this city in September.

Benita Enriquez Latonio, 60, principal of Manggal Elementary School in Sumisip town, Basilan, was freed late Thursday afternoon at sitio Mompol, Barangay Libug by her captors identified to be member of the Abu Sayyaf group led by Juhaibel Alamsirul alias Abu Kik after holding her captive for three days.

Latonio was with a group of teachers on board a public utility jeepney when she was abducted Monday.

Latonio said her abductors are seeking the release of the Basilan MNLF group  as the latter did not directly participate in the 23-day attempt of the MNLF to take over Zamboanga City.

At least 24 of the MNLF rebels, who came from Basilan, were supposed to reinforce the Sulu-based MNLF group led by Habier Malik, but decided to surrender following a negotiation with former city police chief Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo.

Those who surrendered, however, were detained along with close to 300 others who were captured and charged with rebellion and violation of humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity along with MNLF founder Nur Misuari who remains at large.

Latonio said her abductors claimed there was a promise  to  release  the Basilan MNLF group in exchange for their peaceful surrender and the release of Malayo whom they held in the initial stage of the negotiation.

Meanwhile, Latonio said she was fed and treated well by her captors during the three days of her captivity.

“I was not harmed and they treated me well. They said the abduction was in reprisal of the promise to release the MNLF Basilan group,” she said in an interview over a local radio station.