AFP urged to stop offensive vs MNLF amid search for Samal hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction in Sulu called on the military yesterday to halt its operations to allow the group to negotiate the safe release of four captives taken from Samal Island resort.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, chair of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council (ICC), said the faction was initiating efforts to establish contact with the Abu Sayyaf in the area.

He said the ongoing military operation is preventing efforts to negotiate for the safe release of the hostages.

“That’s why I informally requested to halt temporarily the military operation to give way to the possible negotiation and hopefully it will lead to the possible release of the hostages,” Hashim said.

Hashim said they were also apprehensive about a possible ‘misencounter’ between the MNLF and government troops.

He added that they are also trying to prevent a firefight between the MNLF forces and the Abu Sayyaf once they launch a rescue attempt. He cited the firefight between the MNLF and the Abu Sayyaf when they tried to rescue Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani from the bandits in February 2013.

Hashim said there are indications that the Abu Sayyaf had the four hostages in their custody in Sulu.

MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari had told him that the Abu Sayyaf bandits are holding the hostages.

He said Misuari is willing to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf if the government makes a formal request.

“Chairman Misuari assured that if he negotiates there will be no ransom involved,” Cerveza said.

He said the MNLF should be the only group involved in the negotiation.

“If other parties want to negotiate then the MNLF will not get involved in the negotiations,” Cerveza said.

Hashim believed the hostages were being held by about 200 Abu Sayyaf gunmen coming from the groups of bandit leaders Radullan Sahiron, Yaser Igasan and Hatib Hajan Sawajaan.

He said the hostages were being moved around the vicinity of the adjoining towns of Indanan, Talipao and Omar to avoid contact with government troops.

Hashim said there were initiatives and efforts but no contact because of the ongoing military operation.

Hashim believed the Abu Sayyaf is aware of the plan to negotiate, saying some MNLF members have relatives in the bandit group.

The gunmen seized Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, as well as Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend, Maritess Flor.

The military said reports that the Abu Sayyaf was involved in the kidnapping were unverified.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said more than a week of operation yielded no solid proof that the four hostages have been brought to Sulu by their kidnappers. – With Perseus Echeminada, Jaime Laude