MILF challenges government to solve crimes in Mindanao
MILF challenges government citing last month’s recorded abduction of 10 Indonesians and four Malaysians, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) urges the authorities to exert utmost effort to address kidnapping-for-ransom (KFR) in southern Philippines, particularly in Sulu, which is now described to fast-becoming Somalia of Southeast Asia.
“Kidnapping in Sulu continues unabated. It is unstoppable. It is fast becoming another Somalia, this time in Southeast Asia. Instead of being stopped or even minimized, it has soared to unprecedented height,” the MILF expressed in a website. “It is hard to admit by government, but the truth is that the military and police are virtually rendered ineffective against the kidnap-for-ransom groups in Sulu or even in the small island of Basilan”. This is a statement given after the high abduction cases has been recorded in the area.
The group have claimed that it has been doing its part to address KFR menace in southern Philippines. However the group has expressed its resistance against the ransom payment in exchange for the freedom of the victims since it might tolerate kidnappers on their activities. “Government must assert its authority,” it added as it evaluates the performance of the government uncompetitive enough to resolve crimes in Mindanao.
However, the government claims that it is doing all utmost effort to resolve crimes in Mindanao even how it is known to be the Conflict-affected areas with landscape that demands further data and analysis to support outcomes in the southern Philippines.