6 MILF men sought for questioning over Sinnott kidnap
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/06/2009 6:28 PM
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Top ranking government officials are inviting six members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for questioning regarding the kidnapping of Irish Missionary Michael Sinnott in Pagadian City.
Director General Jesus Verzosa, Philippine National Police chief, identified the MILF members as Salip Aloy Alsree, Commander of the MILF 113th Base Command, his Brigade Commander Latip Jamat, its two Battalion Commanders named as Imam Abubakar and Saidamen Alick, and two members of the MILF Special Operations Group identified as Nasser Macabato and Waning Abdusalam.
"Invitations will be sent out to them requesting them to appear before our investigators in the police station in Lanao del Sur," Verzosa said during a top level conference.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, meanwhile, clarified that the six are not being tagged as suspects in the Sinnott kidnapping. "Presumption of innocence is still at place here." Puno said.
Authorities hope that through the media, and through an official letter to be coursed through the peace panels, they will be able to inform the MILF Central Committee of their request.
Puno said he hopes the MILF will honor their invitation although there has never been any incidents in the past wherein the MILF agreed to present their men accused of past atrocities.
The police assured they have sufficient evidence and testimonies of witnesses to back their claims.
"There were series of consultations, discussions about protocols, validation of information before we decided to release their names," Puno said.
He added they cannot be accused of sensationalizing or sabotaging the peace process.
Meanwhile, MILF Vice Chair for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar asked to give him time to issue their comment as he is still in a meeting with the MILF Central Committee.
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