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MILF deploys units for Sinnott rescue but AFP warns of misencounters


The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Tuesday it has deployed hundreds of its forces to help rescue kidnapped Irish priest Michael Sinnott in the Lanao provinces, but the Armed Forces warned this may only result in misencounters with government troops positioned in the area. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the secessionist movement made the deployment to dispel earlier reports that the MILF was involved in the Oct. 11 kidnapping of the 79-year-old Columban priest in Pagadian City. “Since the MILF in that area was implicated, our chief of staff, Sammy Al Mansoor, issued a directive last Oct. 17. This is also to remind our forces in Western Mindanao that we declare war against kidnapping, against all forms of criminalities including kidnapping," said Kabalu. “The kidnapping of Fr. Sinnott is very discouraging and we wanted to share whatever we can for the safe recovery, even the release of the victim the soonest possible time," Kabalu also said. A police official earlier linked Commander Latip Jamal of the MILF’s 113rd Base Command in the Lanao provinces as behind the kidnapping. The military however said the report was not validated while the MILF denied the commander’s involvement. “Our troops are already there because we cannot do that (recovery of Sinnott) without our men on the ground...Several hundreds of men are being utilized for that purpose," Kabalu said, referring to the rescue mission. AFP warns vs misencounters However, Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. frowned on the MILF move, saying this may just result in misencounters with government troops cordoning off the suspects. The military has said there are strong indications that the kidnappers and their victim are at the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte although other reports say they are in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan. “Our troops are already in the area, ready to launch a rescue operation. Now, if they (MILF) launch a rescue operation in the same area, then there is a big chance that there will be misencounters because the MILF members will be armed also," said Brawner. “We are appealing to the MILF not to do this action, not to send in (MILF) troops because it might just complicate the issue, complicate the situation on the ground," Brawner also said, adding the MILF should help instead in other ways. Peace talks between the government and the MILF bogged down in August last year following the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Ancestral Domain. Efforts are underway for both sides to return to the negotiating table. “Instead of sending their own troops on the ground which may result in more violence because of possible misencounters, we are appealing to them to help us in recovering Fr. Sinnott (in other ways) or perhaps they can turn Fr. Sinnott over to the authorities. We will welcome if they turn him over to us," said Brawner. Asked if he was implying that the MILF is holding Sinnott, Brawner said: “We are not saying that...We are not certain (about the MILF’s involvement) but the assistance we are asking from the MILF leadership is to help us recover Fr. Sinnott and turn him over to us," he said. Told of the military’s warning against the deployment of MILF forces, Kabalu dismissed the possibility of misencounters. “We know what to do. We know what we are doing. Our deployment will not be near the military (position). We will be at areas which they cannot cover. This is coordinated with the government, through the CCCH (coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities)," said Kabalu. – GMANews.TV

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