MILF leader denies involvement in abductions

DAVAO CITY — "I’m an honorable man. I have a family and I feed them through decent means."

Thus said Boy Hashim, a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader in Pikit, North Cotabato, as he belied allegations that he, as Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has claimed, was among those behind kidnappings for ransom in Southern and Central Mindanao.

"I am not a kidnapper and was never involved in any kidnapping even if I am an MILF rebel. My dealings and my associations would prove it," Hashim told The STAR.

Hashim is a member of an MILF technical committee involved in peace negotiations with the Arroyo administration. He was part of the exploratory talks before formal discussions kicked off in 1997.

He has had close associations with military officials in Central Mindanao. He recalled that he once met President Arroyo in 1997, when she was still a senator, during a visit to the house of former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco at Dasmariñas Village in Makati City.

Last week, Duterte bared a list of people, including Hashim, whom he alleged were behind kidnappings in Southern and Central Mindanao.

Hashim was alleged to have facilitated the release of a certain Yap, a construction material supplier who was kidnapped in Digos, Davao del Sur two years ago.