MNLF ready to help secure release of 2 Tausug sisters

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu have expressed readiness to help secure the safe release of two Tausug sisters, both independent filmmakers, who were snatched by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants last Saturday.

The MNLF requested the military and police to halt any operations and allow peaceful means to recover Nadjoua and Linda Bansil, daughters of an imam (Muslim preacher) but have Moroccan descent through their mother.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council, said they have made coordination to help resolve the kidnapping of the Bansils, who were seized in Barangay Liang in Patikul, Sulu while filming a documentary.

“We are appealing to the group, whoever they are, (even if) they are from the Abu Sayyaf to please safely release the victims on humanitarian grounds,” Hashim said.

The Bansil siblings were among the nominees in the 2013 Gawad Urian Awards for the short film “Bohe – Sons of the Waves” about Muslim sea gypsies. The film was also nominated in the Cinemalaya Awards.

Hashim said they were trying their best to exhaust peaceful means to convince the Abu Sayyaf into freeing the Bansils unharmed.

This, despite last February’s incident when MNLF members figured in a clash with an Abu Sayyaf faction while trying to recover Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani. The fighting left nearly a dozen MNLF fighters and 19 Abu Sayyaf militants dead in a series of encounters in Patikul town.

“The situation in Sulu is different from Basilan and we are trying to find ways to convince the (kidnappers) to release the victims,” Hashim said.