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.#
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