MILF seized 6 in Lanao del Norte, say police

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front allegedly abducted six people, including former Baloi vice mayor, after conducting a “law enforcement operation” disguised as military in Lanao del Norte, police said.

Wearing Philippine Army uniforms, the MILF members on Thursday reportedy held ex-vice mayor Abdullah Balas, one village chief and four civilians in Poblacion East village around 6:15 p.m. Thursday, said Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office 10 in a report.

The MILF fighters, led by Commander Abdul Jalal Macalunto, conducted a so-called “law enforcement operation” against alleged personalities involved in illegal drug trafficking.

But the false operation led to the abduction of the said officials and some civilians, including Cadayonan village chief Atoy Arumpac, Salonga Pacute, Agpay Molia,  Paney Patara and a certain “Jay.”
The perpetrators, the report said, boarded them inside three civilian vehicles.

“They were brought to Camp Balindong, Lanao del Sur purposely to have a conversation with Commander Bravo,” it added.

On Friday, 40 MILF men stormed the Marawi City Police Station disarmed policemen on duty, shot and killed one person there, and then freed two of their detained comrades before fleeing with the city’s police chief.

It was rumored that MILF leader Commander Bravo, Abdurahman Macapaar, led the abduction of Marawi police chief Superintendent Christopher Panapan but a military official denied it.

The police were investigating the alleged kidnapping incident.