Teachers kidnapped by MILF rebels still alive - mayor

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The three public school teachers kidnapped by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Basilan last January are alive and in good condition. Mayor Celso Lobregat confirmed the hostages were able to communicate with their families, indicating they are still alive and well.

Lobregat, however, stressed they have exerted all efforts to negotiate for the safe release of the hostages.

“Efforts have been ongoing for their safe release while we maintain a strict no ransom policy,” Lobregat said.

The kidnappers have demanded P6 million in ransom in exchange for the release of Janette delos Reyes, Rafael Mayonado, and Freires Quizon who were snatched off Landang Gua in Sacol Island near this city last Jan. 23.

Officials revealed the hostages were handed over to a group of MILF rebels led by Mulong Pula in Basilan.

Reports from the Basilan provincial crisis committee also said the victims have been kept in village near Al-Barka town, a known MILF stronghold.

Security forces, on the other hand, continue their search for other hostages in Basilan, among them Sri Lankan peace volunteer Umar Jaleel who was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf last month.

The Abu Sayyaf, notorious for ransom kidnappings and terror attacks, are also holding three International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) workers in nearby Sulu.

The military, however, admitted they have not yet located Jaleel and his kidnappers.

Jaleel, 36, of the non-partisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce which has been monitoring a decades-old Muslim separatist uprising in Mindanao, was taken by nine gunmen from his residence in Lamitan in Basilan last Feb. 14.

The Brussels-based peace group continued to appeal for Jaleel’s safe release without ransom.

A military official, on the other hand, criticized former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari for blaming the military for his failure to secure the release of the three ICRC hostages from the Abu Sayyaf.

“Misuari should not blame the military if he did not get to free the hostages,” AFP Civil Relations Group (CRG) chief Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said.

Misuari earlier attempted but failed to secure the safe release of Italian Eugenio Vagni, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina engineer Jean Lacaba, who have been held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Sulu for more than 50 days.

The Abu Sayyaf rejected Misuari’s efforts, insisting the release of the three hostages would only be possible if the military pulls out from Sulu.

Pangilinan said the military would stay in place to help in the efforts to secure the safe release of the hostages.

“We are not pulling out. We are for the peaceful release of the hostages,” Pangilinan said.

“Our target is the safe release of the hostages. We welcome any help. We welcome those who can help in securing the safe release of the Red Cross workers,” Pangilinan said.

He was also quick to point out that the concerns Misuari raised would be submitted by the military commanders involved to the committee formed to address the hostage crisis.  – With Edith Regalado