Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels abducted Friday noon five villagers in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, and used them as shields against pursuing government forces, a police official in Southwest Mindanao said.
Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu, head of the task force on law enforcement in Region 12, said seized were Roy Martin, leader of Sitio Lipi-lipian of Barangay Marquez in Esperanza, his wife Sheila, two children and a certain Jun Bello.
Khu, in an interview on dxND, said some 100 MILF rebels coming from the boundary of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat allegedly harassed residents in Barangay Marquez, a farming village, and carted away farm produce and animals.
As of posting time, Khu said the rebels are still positioned in the area.
“We already sent forces in the area, including soldiers, to pursue the rebels and rescue the family," said Khu.
The Friday kidnapping in Esperanza was the second incident in Southwest Mindanao since last week.
On December 28, three farmers were also abducted in Alamada, a hinterland town in North Cotabato. The abductors also carted farm animals. The farmers were later released unharmed somewhere between the boundary Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato, reports said. - Malu Cadelina Manar
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