MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has vowed to help government forces rescue a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman who was kidnapped and brought by her captors to the rebels' territory in Maguindanao.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said MILF rebels will help free Suken Chew Mantique, a 47-year-old owner of an grocery store in North Upi, Maguindanao, even if the government will not ask for help.
"The first opportunity that comes to us, we will do the rescue operation. Of course, the foremost consideration is the safety of the victim. We will do it even without a word from the authorities because we consider it as an obligation as far as the MILF is concerned," Kabalu said.
The government and the MILF have reconstituted the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), which is tasked to go after terrorists and criminal elements in MILF-held areas.
Kabalu said the AHJAG gives authority to the MILF to go after kidnappers. "The responsibility is already given to take positive action in case of incidents like this," said Kabalu,
Mantique was abducted last Saturday afternoon in North Upi town. Authorities troops later caught up and exchanged gunfire with the kidnappers in Sibuto village in Datu Odin Sinsuat town with no casualties reported on both sides.
Police said the suspects later "entered into (an) MILF-controlled territory."
Kabalu said they have information that the kidnappers and their victim went to Talayan town, which hosts the MILF's Camp Badr.
"We are in full control of the area," said Kabalu.
He added that the MILF also helped in the release of a victim kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 2005 in the area.
He said Mayagkang Saguile is known to operate in that area.
Kabalu said the AHJAG gives authority to the MILF to go after kidnappers. "The responsibility is already given to take positive action in case of incidents like this," said Kabalu, referring to the kidnapping of Mantique.
The MILF is currently negotiating for a peace pact with the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. The second round of talks between the 2 panels was held last month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
