Armed Ampatuan group kidnaps 4 Maguindanao villagers

MANILA, Philippines - Over a hundred heavily armed Ampatuan loyalists led by Ulo Ampatuan and his cousin Baharin kidnapped four male villagers in Maguindanao and used them as human shields as they continued to evade ongoing military and police operations to disband them.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado said that one of the four kidnapped victims was released the other day but the other three were still being held.

In an interview, Ibrado said the kidnapping of the peasants by Ulo and his group was aimed at delaying military and police efforts to arrest them.

Ulo’s group is now highly mobile and headed towards Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.

“Kidnapping charges will be filed against Ulo and the rest of his armed followers,” Ibrado said.

Ulo and his cousin have taken over the helm of the clan’s loyalists, most of whom reportedly took part in the brutal carnage that left 57 people dead in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town last Nov. 23.

Ulo is the son of detained Ampatuan town mayor Anwar, and also vice mayor of the town.

His grandfather Maguindanao Gov. Andal Sr., as well as his other uncles, were arrested and are now detained on multiple murder and rebellion charges in connection with the Nov. 23 massacre.

The AFP estimated that Ampatuan armed supporters number some 2,000.

Ibrado said that aside from Ulo’s group, other fully armed civilian volunteers loyal to the Ampatuans were monitored to be manning combat positions in the hinterlands of Sultan sa Barongis.

The group was monitored yesterday heading towards Regina Regente in Liguasan Marsh.

Ibrado, citing reports reaching his office, said the group appeared to be new in the area and have started recruiting and paying lumads (indigenous people) to be their guide.

“Some of the lumads who already abandoned the group are now helping us in our pursuit operations,” Ibrado said.   – Jaime Laude