Palace accepts MNLF's offer to help rescue Samal abductees

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang accepted on Tuesday the offer of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help rescue the three foreigners and Filipina who were kidnapped by an unidentified group in Samal Island last week.

"Ang tulong ng mga organisasyon o indibidwal sa paglutas sa krimen ay tinatanggap ng pamahalaan. Mainam na matunton ang kinaroroonan ng mga nagsagawa," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

According to a newspaper report, MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said his group can help find the four captives and their abductors if proven that they are now in Sulu.

However, Cerveza said they will only help in the search and rescue operations if the government asks for it.

On September 21, armed men kidnapped Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sikkengstad and Maritess Flor at the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort at Barangay Camudmud in Samal Island.

Authorities initially suspected the Abu Sayyaf militants were behind the kidnapping.

President Benigno Aquino III later revealed that according to the initial report given to him, the abductors may be part of a new armed group.

READ: PNoy: New group may be behind Samal abduction

Over the weekend, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, chair of the regional peace and order council, said the captives had been taken to Sulu after they were brought to the town of Glan in Sarangani province.

The military, meanwhile, said they found the boat used by the kidnappers in Jolo, Sulu.

"We have eyeballed the sea craft, but not the kidnap victims from Samal," said Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu.

READ: Samal hostages taken to Sulu – Duterte