Negotiations for release of 4 MSU tutors fail

MARAWI CITY — Negotiations for the release of four Mindanao State University (MSU) teachers abducted last Sept. 13, have failed, and authorities are readying rescue operations.

The Crisis Management Council led by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong nearly secured the teachers’ release yesterday morning, but the kidnappers, believed to be former MSU security personnel, backed out.

"There are some matters which need to be renegotiated, and we are back to zero," said Akira Alonto, chief of Adiong’s security force and the governor’s son-in-law.

Last Tuesday night, the kidnappers agreed to free the four teachers after they were "reimbursed" for the mentors’ "board and lodging" expenses.

With the failed negotiations, the Crisis Management Council decided that police action should now be taken.

"Our men are now deployed in the area where the kidnappers are believed hiding the (teachers)," said Chief Superintendent Acmad Omar, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Besides a P2-million ransom, the kidnappers have also demanded the ouster of MSU president Dr. Camar Umpa; the payment of back wages of the school’s security personnel, the return of their firearms, and that no military action should be taken against them.