6 freed hostages now in custody of Zambo authorities

INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Authorities have taken into custody six more civilians who were released by members of the Moro National Liberation Front as the clash between government troops and rebels intensified Tuesday.

In a Twitter post, Zamboanga City government (@zambocitygovt) said the six hostages were either released or managed to escape from their captors at around 1:10 p.m.

“These individuals are still for verification by CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],” it added.

Zamboanga City Government earlier said about 149 civilians taken as hostages were now in the custody of government troops after 79 civilians were released or were able to escape.

But the good news over the release or escape of some of the hostages was dampened with the abduction by the MNLF gunmen of Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo and two of his security escorts.

A radio report quoted Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, logistics officer of the police in Western Mindanao, as saying that Malayo was abducted in the village of Areno Blanco.

“CMC [Crisis Management Committee] had already received the info that ZCPO [Zamboanga City Police Office] OIC [officer-in-charge] Senior Superintendent Malayo is in the custody of the MNLF. Mayor Climaco had reported the matter to SILG [Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II],” Zamboanga City Government said in a Twitter post.