MILF rebels abduct Marawi cop chief, kill civilian in predawn raid

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A civilian was killed and a police officer was abducted in a daring raid by heavily armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the Marawi City police station to rescue their two detained rebels after midnight Friday.

Military spokesman Capt. Jefferson Somera of the Philippine Army's 1st Division said at least 40 rebels stormed the police station at around 12:10 a.m. and rescued their two leaders identified as Jovani Cader and Metron Borodan.

After the daring rescue, the rebels snatched police station commander Superintendent Christopher Panapan and killed his civilian brother-in-law identified only as Malik.

Borodan and Cader were arrested last week for illegal possession of firearms in Marawi City.

Somera said that according to initial reports, Panapan was taken by the rebels to Barangay Wato, Balindong town in Lanao del Sur on board a motorized boat.

The military spokesperson said that they could not launch an operation against the rebels, who were led by Commander Datu Repor, because of the existing ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the goverment.

Instead, he said they filed a complaint before the Adhoc JOint Action Group (AHJAG) of the MILF panel against Repor's group.

“We demand the safe release immediately of Superintendent Panapan because this is a clear case of violation of the ceasefire,” Somera said.

Somera added that they have alredy coordinated with local government officials and Muslim religious leaders in the area to help in the negotiation for the safe release of the police officer.