Filtered By: Topstories
News

MILF: 'Take back your words or we won't secure Sinnott'


The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will suspend its efforts to secure the release of abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott if the government will not retract its claim that the secessionist group is behind the kidnapping. MILF military chief Sammy Al-Mansoor said the government, particularly Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, has until the weekend to take back his accusation that the rebel group’s 113th Base Command is holding the 79-year-old priest. "We look to the end of this week for our partner in the peace process, the Arroyo administration, to effect such a riposte or correction that placed into bad light the very unit of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) tasked by the MILF Central Committee for the rescue of the priest, taking into utmost consideration his safety," Al-Mansoor said in a statement posted on the MILF website, luwaran.com. "Otherwise we have to take the hard decision to call off our rescue efforts if until the end of the week, no statement to that effect is issued," he added.


Puno, in a press conference last Tuesday, identified the MILF leader allegedly behind Sinnott’s abduction as one Aloy Al Asree, who he said was also behind last year’s attacks on several civilian targets in Central Mindanao. [See: MILF leader in Sinnott kidnap case identified] No need for retraction Presidential adviser on the peace process Anabelle Abaya meanwhile said there is no need for the government to take back Puno's statement since the DILG chief does not represent the entire government. “There is nothing to take back because as far as we are concerned, we’re giving them (MILF) the benefit of the doubt," she said. Abaya said she is considering the MILF's assistance in the kidnapping case as a "confidence-building measure." Puno for his part said he is standing by his statement. “I’m willing to eat my words if I’m wrong," he said. Sinnott was abducted from his house in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, last October 11. In a video obtained by the military and aired over GMA News over the weekend, the priest said his abductors are asking for a $2-million ransom in exchange for his freedom. [See: RP abductors ask $2M for release of Irish priest] The MILF, the largest secessionist organization in the country, said its 113th Base Command is the unit it deployed to locate and possibly secure the release of Sinnott. Difficult decision “The decision to put on hold our role in the rescue mission is a difficult one to make, but we have to make it. There is no other way; otherwise we also destroy ourselves and the very foundation principles that the MILF stands for," Al-Mansoor said. The government and the MILF have had a ceasefire since July to prepare for the resumption of peace negotiations. The government is confident that the abduction of Sinnott would not derail the improving peace process with the rebel group. “The kidnapping of Father Michael Sinnott is not related to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-MILF peace talks. This could be the work of misguided scalawags," said government chief negotiator Rafael Seguis. Seguis said the resumption of formal peace talks with the MILF is “inching closer" after the signing of the agreement on protection civilians in armed conflict areas in Southern Philippines, the last among the three confidence building measures identified by both parties before their return to the negotiating table. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT