MILF backs out from negotiations on aid worker's release

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday confirmed that it has backed out from negotiating the release of a female aid worker after her suspected Abu Sayyaf kidnappers stuck to their ransom demand.

MILF spokesman and civil-military affairs chief Eid Kabalu said there is no other recourse but to conduct military action if the kidnappers stand firm on their monetary demand.

Kabalu disclosed that when the MILF leadership in Basilan established contact with the kidnappers of Merlie “Millet” Mendoza, they already demanded an “entrance fee” to start the negotiations.

“So the MILF leadership backed out because we thought that if that would be the situation, the negotiations would go nowhere, except on the monetary demand. That is their (kidnappers’) style; they want money,” Kabalu said.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded $1.5-million ransom for Mendoza’s freedom.

Mendoza was abducted along with fellow aid worker Esperancita Hupida last Sept. 15 in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Hupida was released last month reportedly after her family paid a so-called “board and lodging fee.” The kidnappers originally demanded P2-million ransom.

“The only remaining move is the drastic action,” Kabalu said, although he stressed that MILF forces would not do it.

Kabalu said they are now leaving it up to government authorities to secure the safe release of Mendoza, who is working with a Malaysian-funded non-government organization (NGO).

The MILF came into the picture after the Malaysian government, through the International Monitoring Team which it leads, and Mendoza’s family sought its help to negotiate with the kidnappers.

Kabalu said they have not received yet any reaction from Malaysia on their decision to back out from the negotiations.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, chief of the local crisis management committee and the acting chief negotiator, said they are not taking the lead until they have received an official notice from the MILF on its backing out from the talks.

Sakalahul, however, challenged the MILF to look for another strategy other than backing out “just to save face.”

Meanwhile, Sakalahul expressed sadness that the isolated kidnappings have overshadowed all the positive things happening in the island province.

“The province is already flourishing in agriculture such as rubber plantations and we will not allow certain incidents to (affect) the development that we are experiencing,” he said.