MILF ready to ‘engage’ Abus holding ABS-CBN TV crew

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) claimed Thursday it is ready to slug it out with Abu Sayyaf militants in efforts to free a television news crew held captive in Sulu since last weekend. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said this will also dispel repeated government claims that the MILF is "in cahoots" with the Abu Sayyaf, which has ties with the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, tagged as the regional arm of the al-Qaeda terror network. "Kung kinakailangan. But right now we are working on our own effort. Walang alliances or pakikipagtulungan sa awtoridad sa kasalukuyan (We will fight the Abu Sayyaf if needed. But right now we are conducting our own effort to find the missing crew)," Kabalu said in an interview on dzXL radio. Police linked the Abu Sayyaf to the abduction of ABS-CBN news presenter Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon, cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and assistant Angelo Valderama, and university professor Octavio Dinampo. The Abu Sayyaf had reportedly demanded a ransom, which reports said involved some P10 million. The management of ABS-CBN had said that it will not entertain any ransom demand. Citing reports reaching the MILF, Kabalu said the hostages are being held in Indanan town in Sulu, but said they have yet to verify the kidnappers' demand for ransom. Kabalu said the MILF mobilized a special unit to "work" for the safe release of the captive almost immediately after it learned of the abduction. "Dito tayo nakafocus sa incident. May masalimuot na pangyayari kasamahan natin sa media. Nakahanda tayo makipagtulungan sa early recovery and rescue nina Drilon at kanyang kasamahan (We are focusing on the incident. This is something serious that happened to our brethren in media. We are ready to help in their early recovery and rescue)," he said. - GMANews.TV