MILF members accused in kidnapping identified

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has released on Friday the names of personalities who have knowledge of Irish priest Michael Sinnott’s kidnapping.

The individuals, all allegedly members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), would be called to appear before investigators.

"Presumption of innocence is in place here. We are not saying that they are they guilty, we are giving them the opportunity to prove their innocence. It is in that context why we are releasing the names," said Interior Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno after a closed-door meeting with the crisis management committee and regional security forces.

The names of MILF members, disclosed by Superintendent Felizardo M. Serapio, Jr., chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations for Western Mindanao, are:

Latip Jamat, brigade commander;
Salip Aloy Alshree, 113^rd base commander;
Nasser Macabato, member of the special operation group (SOG);
Imam Abubakar, battalion commander,
Waning Abdulsalam, member of SOG and allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Father Giancarlo Bossi in 2007; and
Saidamen Alick, battalion commander.

Director General Jesus A. Verzosa, the PNP chief, said police procedures would be implemented should the identified personalities appear before probers.

"These are the MILF members [who] will be investigated. Invitation of appearance to investigators in Zamboanga del Sur will be sent to them," he said, adding "they are not necessarily the suspects but they may have some knowledge about the kidnapping incident."

He said the personalities were idntified based on testimonies and reports submitted to authorities.

Mr. Puno said they will formally ask the central committee of the MILF through a letter to present the identified personalities to investigators "to give them the opportunity to clear themselves, and to reply and charges that are raised against them."

He added the request will also be coursed through the government peace panel

The MILF has earlier denied accusations that some of their members are involved in the abduction, saying the accused group is part of the MILF task force helping in the rescue of Mr. Sinnott.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, authorities also created an area management crisis that would be composed of the local government units of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and security forces to fast-track the safe release of Mr. Sinnott. Members of the area committee are expected to hold a meeting in Manila Saturday.

"The main concern is on the safety of Fr. Sinnott, bringing the kidnappers to justice and enforcement of law," Mr. Puno said.

Mr. Sinnott, the latest among the foreign missionaries kidnapped in Southwestern Mindanao, was abducted last Oct. 11 by six armed men inside the Columban missions residence in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. -- Darwin T. Wee

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MILF members accused in kidnapping identified