Yusoph blows top over government's inaction on son's kidnap

MANILA, Philippines - After weeks of silence, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph lashed out at government for its inaction on the abduction of his 22-year-old son last June 20.

In an ambush interview, the usually passive Yusoph blew his top when asked about his son Nuralden, who was snatched at Barangay Sabala Amanmao in Marawi City while on his way to pray at Bato Ali Mosque.

“I appeal to the kidnappers. Do not push me against the wall because when worse comes to worst, I am even willing to sacrifice my life if only to stop this kind of barbaric activities,” he said.

The kidnappers have demanded the nullification of election results in the towns of Pitong Taraka, Masiu and Malabang in Lanao del Sur in exchange for the victim’s release. 

The younger Yusoph is training to be an Imam or a Muslim religious leader, just like his father.

Yusoph complained that the “military knows who these culprits are but until now they have not done anything about it.”

“It is almost one month and nothing has happened... I have gone to the extent of letting the government do its job. I don’t want to take the law in my hands. I just want to appeal to the suspects and the leaders of the suspects that they should release safely my son because as a Maranao... we know also how to retaliate if worse comes to worst,” he said in a shaking voice.

“Patience usually should not last so long. I’m giving them the time until they change their mind. I am Muslim like them. I am a religious leader, I still maintain that if this will not be solved by the government, it will be God who will solve it,” said Yusoph.

The official admitted that what happened to his son, who has a three-month-old child, is very painful for him and his family. He appealed to the government to rescue the victim immediately.

“I don’t want to take the law in my hands and you know I have prevented my relatives from taking the law in their hands. But if the government cannot do anything, then we cannot also be blamed if something happens,” he said.

Yusoph claimed that he has not gone back to his hometown in Lanao del Sur so as not to fuel the tension, especially among his relatives.

Yusoph had proposed that Lanao del Sur be placed under military control or martial law for 15 days to one month “so that it will be a deterrent to lawless elements.”

He urged President Aquino to augment military efforts in the place where his son is being kept.

“If we continue to tolerate this, I think it will be a chaotic condition. Everyday, there is killing. Everyday, there is kidnapping, there is robbery even in broad daylight. To tolerate this, we’ll be having no government at all,” he said.

Yusoph also appealed to the local leaders “who have been silent about it” to help in the release of his son.

“Nobody is speaking... The Comelec has been held hostage by these people. I want the government to invite those who are direct beneficiaries of the annulment of these municipalities. They are invited to tell the truth because if we will be pushed against the wall, we know how to retaliate,” he added. 

As this developed, a soldier was killed while five others were wounded in an ambush staged by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements believed to be holding Yusoph’s son.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, said the treacherous attack occurred about 5:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Barangay Gata, Poona Bayabao town of Lanao del Sur. – With Jaime Laude, Roel Pareno