Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, May 24 – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have joined forces in the 10-day continuous pursuit operations that led to the rescue of Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Angelina Suken Chew Manjique early this morning.
Manjique, owner of Sam’s Restaurant and Bakery in North Upi, Maguindanao, was released by her kidnappers at 4:30 a.m. in Barangay Dadtumeg in this town.
Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen congratulated the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting joint operations. “This is a positive development in the peace process,” he said in a statement.
He also lauded the efforts of the joint Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the GPH and the MILF for complementing the actions of the military and police.
“However, we still expect the MILF to pursue and arrest the kidnappers who are currently operating in areas dominated by their group,” added Leonen.
Kato's involvement
A very reliable source involved in the operations confirmed that some of the kidnappers of Manjique were identified to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under MILF commander Amiril Umra Kato who broke away to form his own armed group. There are also reports that some commanders belonging to the BIFF attempted to reinforce the kidnappers but were thwarted by the showing of more superior forces.
“Law enforcement operations are still continuing to arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time,” he said.
On this, Leonen called on the MILF to take steps in finding “ways and means to discipline Kato for ever attempting to assist the kidnappers.”
Earlier, the panel chair had expressed serious concern over having an MILF breakaway group, considering its grave implications to ceasefire and peace negotiations in general.
Joint CCCH and AHJAG
Manjique was kidnapped on the afternoon of May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, an area in Maguindanao inhabited by MILF members.
“Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations,” Leonen recounted.
He also said that the kidnappers were forced to release Manjique on the 10th day in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
“However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas,” Leonen stated.
The government panel is set to present its proposal to the MILF on the next round of talks on June 27-28 in Kuala Lumpur.#
Showing posts with label marvic leonen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marvic leonen. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Statement of GPH Panel Chair Marvic Leonen on the Rescue of the Kidnapped Filipino-Chinese Trader in Maguindanao
The rescue of kidnapped Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique at 4:30 a.m. today in Barangay Dadtumeg in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao is a positive development in the peace process as forces of the government and the MILF combined efforts during the ten-day pursuit operations.
I congratulate the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting successful joint operations, as well as the Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of both parties for complementing the actions of the military and police.
The joint CCCH and AHJAG of the GPH and the MILF have also been instrumental in preventing unnecessary armed encounters between the government and the Moro group while the former was conducting law enforcement operations in an MILF area.
Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique was kidnapped on May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, which is a territory in Maguindanao, occupied by MILF members.
Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations.
On the 10th day, the kidnappers were forced to release Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas.
Meanwhile, I have received reports that some of the kidnappers of Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique are also members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of Umra Kato. I am also disturbed by reports that Umra Kato's group had attempted to reinforce and aid the kidnappers while they were being pursued by the Army and the MILF. Fortunately, they were deterred by more superior forces that stood in their way.
We will certainly raise this with the MILF. We urge them to take these actions of elements of Umra Kato seriously. During our last meeting with the MILF, they represented that Kato was still part of the MILF. Lasting peace does not have room for those who do not respect the rights of civilians and put them in harm's way. There should be no safe haven for anyone involved in these nefarious activities.#
I congratulate the 6th Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, and the MILF for conducting successful joint operations, as well as the Coordinating Committee in the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of both parties for complementing the actions of the military and police.
The joint CCCH and AHJAG of the GPH and the MILF have also been instrumental in preventing unnecessary armed encounters between the government and the Moro group while the former was conducting law enforcement operations in an MILF area.
Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique was kidnapped on May 14 by five unidentified men and brought to the Liguasan Marsh, which is a territory in Maguindanao, occupied by MILF members.
Considering that it is an MILF-dominated area, our military and police immediately coordinated with the government CCCH and AHJAG to assist in the rescue operations. Members of our CCCH and AHJAG contacted their MILF counterparts who carried out their own operations.
On the 10th day, the kidnappers were forced to release Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique in Dadtumeg where she was fetched and brought to a nearby hospital.
However, the operations do not end here. The government is actively pursuing the perpetrators in order to bring them to justice. We expect the MILF to do their part in pursuing and arresting the kidnappers who are currently operating in their areas.
Meanwhile, I have received reports that some of the kidnappers of Mrs. Angelina Suken Chew Manjique are also members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of Umra Kato. I am also disturbed by reports that Umra Kato's group had attempted to reinforce and aid the kidnappers while they were being pursued by the Army and the MILF. Fortunately, they were deterred by more superior forces that stood in their way.
We will certainly raise this with the MILF. We urge them to take these actions of elements of Umra Kato seriously. During our last meeting with the MILF, they represented that Kato was still part of the MILF. Lasting peace does not have room for those who do not respect the rights of civilians and put them in harm's way. There should be no safe haven for anyone involved in these nefarious activities.#
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