Captors of MSU dean want P1-M ransom

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Kidnappers of a dean of the Mindanao State University (MSU), believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have asked for a P1-million ransom, among other demands, in exchange for his release, authorities said.

The abductors of MSU College of Forestry dean Rodrigo Fontillas, led by MILF commander Abu Ayog, also demanded the following:

• Return of their getaway vehicle, a Nissan Ultra pick-up truck, which was seized by policemen;

• Reinstatement of 10 security personnel terminated by MSU president Camar Umpa; and

• Payment of the eight months’ salaries of the retrenched guards.

Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, chief of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force’s Mindanao Area II unit, said the kidnappers relayed their demands through a relative of Ayog who was tapped to negotiate Fontillas’ release.

Casimiro said his men have identified the kidnappers’ lair, but decided to halt any rescue operation to give way to peaceful means for Fontillas’ release.

"But we stand firm on the government’s no-ransom policy, and definitely, we cannot release the vehicle because (it was used in Fontillas’ abduction)," Casimiro said.

Fontillas was on his way to the MSU campus in Marawi City on board a service vehicle when he was flagged down by Ayog’s group in Barangay Bito, Marawi City last Oct. 16. — Roel Pareño