Moro rebs step up search for abducted Aussie

Warren Richard Rodwell. AP PHOTO

ILIGAN CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Friday stepped up efforts to secure the release of former Australian soldier Richard Warren Rodwell from his Abu Sayyaf captors.

Von Al-haq, MILF spokesperson, did not disclose details but added that their actions were being coordinated with government authorities through the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (Ahjag).

Ajhag is a joint law enforcement mechanism established by the MILF and the government to go after criminal elements like kidnap-for-ransom groups in rebel-influenced communities.

Concentrating efforts

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said they are concentrating their efforts in Basilan, where Rodwell, 53, who was abducted from his home in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Dec. 5, was reportedly being kept by Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama.

The kidnappers are demanding $2 million in ransom for the release of Rodwell.

In Zamboanga Sibugay, Gov. Romeo Jalosjos criticized the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (Pacer) for leaking the video of Rodwell, in which the captive was shown pleading for help.

“I was the only one who had this SD card and the only agency that I entrusted the copy to is the Pacer in Zamboanga City, and I was really shocked to know about the leak,” Jalosjos said.

He said he called up the Pacer office in Zamboanga City to demand an explanation but no one could shed light on the leaked video.

Meanwhile, Jalosjos admitted he was irked by an article that came out in the New York Times on Jan. 5, which described Zamboanga City as “lawless” and an “open city for criminals.”

The article, written by Floyd Whaley, quoted Manila-based risk consultant Richard Jacobson, who cited  the Rodwell kidnapping and that of Filipino-American Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann.

“They don’t live here and do not know anything about Mindanao. They shouldn’t (say that) everything is bad down here,” he said.

Jalosjos said criminality happens everywhere and not just in Zamboanga. “Criminality exists in any other big cities and countries,” he said.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also disagreed with Jacobson’s assessment.

“It is not fair and I beg to disagree with his impression,” Lobregat said. Ryan Rosauro and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao