ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 8, 2012) – Security forces failed to search for a kidnapped southern Philippine town mayor being held by Muslim rebels whose group is currently negotiating peace with Manila.
Officials said dozens of policemen and soldiers, backed by two armoured personnel carriers, swooped down on suspected rebel hideout in the town of Ipil and Naga, but failed to find the 36-year old Mayor Jeffrey Lim, of Salug town in Zamboanga del Norte province.
Troops have put up road blocks and checkpoints in Zamboanga Sibugay and neighbouring Zamboanga del Norte. Commuter buses were being flagged down and passengers told to disembark before soldiers and policemen search them for weapons.
Lim was kidnapped April 2 by at least 10 gunmen, disguised as policemen, while heading to the town’s bus depot. The military tagged Moro Islamic Liberation Front members as behind the kidnapping.
“We failed to find Mayor Jeffery Lim, but the rescue operation is going on,” said Army Col. Gerry Barientos, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.
The motive of the kidnapping is still unknown and the gunmen have not contacted the politician’s family.
The MILF has denied involvement in the kidnappings and warned that continued military operations in rebel areas could trigger clashes.
It said security forces searching house to house in Muslim communities in the village of Tenan in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Ipil town.
“What is very clear with us is that no coordination was made by the government on this unusual movement and deployment of government forces,” the MILF’s ceasefire committee said, adding the village of Tenan is populated by Muslims and MILF members.
The MILF accused the military of violating a fragile truce, an allegation strongly denied by security officials. “We have not violated anything. We are just doing our job,” Barrientos said.
The MILF is fighting for self-determination in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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