MILF issues order to kill kidnappers

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday issued shoot-to-kill orders against the Pentagon kidnap gang and other groups that kidnap for ransom.

The order came on the heels of reports that kidnap for ransom activities of the Pentagon gang have become rampant in many areas in Mindanao.

"But we will take drastic action against this group only in MILF-controlled areas," said Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesperson.

He said the MILF has already issued a resolution, dated February 26, reiterating its policy of continuously condemning heinous crimes in Mindanao.

"We know for a fact that we cannot eliminate 100 per cent some of these kidnap gangs, some of whom have links with the military, but we will try to make a big difference," said Kabalu.

He said the resolution is based on the Islamic belief that "non-combatants such as children, women, old people, monks or priests are not the objects of war" and that Islam also "prohibits the destruction of property, mutilation of the dead and other cruelty even during war".

He said the resolution also "directed its freedom fighters, comprising the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, to arrest and take drastic action against perpetrators, until the criminal activities are neutralised in MILF areas".

The MILF spokesperson also denied military reports saying the Pentagon gang is linked to the MILF.

"This is propaganda by the military. The Pentagon gang leader Faisal Marohombsar, former member of the Moro National Liberation Front, was a rebel returnee under the custody of the military."

The Pentagon gang has been blamed for the abduction of Italian priest Giuseppe Pierantoni who was released on Monday.

In the past year, the gang also abducted a Canadian, wealthy Filipinos and several Chinese engineers who were on government irrigation projects.

The group has not yet released its Korean hostage Jae Kwon-yoon, who was kidnapped on February 6 along with Filipino businessman Carlos Belonio in Maitum, Cotabato.