PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 8, 2013) – A Filipino lawmaker has appealed to Abu Sayyaf rebels to safely release two Moro sisters kidnapped in the southern province of Sulu.
Sisters Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, who are both filmmakers, were seized on June 22 while working on a documentary with members of the Sultanate of Sulu Darulm Islam.
“I sympathize with the Bansil family and pray for the swift release of Nadjoa and Linda,” said Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The appeal coincided with the Muslim’s observance of the holy month of fasting.
“Islam teaches peace and unity not only for the Moro people but for the whole world, and this observance is more pronounced during the holy month of Ramadhan,” Zarate said.
He also appealed to the military and the police to also respect the right of the Moro to observe the Ramadan, noting that previous reports that government operations continue in Muslim areas in Mindanao during Ramadan, a double burden for them who have to get away from militarized and bombarded areas and at the same time religiously observing fast.
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