Military asserts no-ransom policy as Misuari help sought for 2 kidnapped cops

JOINT TASK Force (JTF) Sulu is maintaining its no-ransom policy for the two police officers abducted by members of the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu on April 29. This comes after Police Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said on Wednesday that the Abu Sayyaf are demanding P5 million in exchange for Police Officer 2 (PO2) Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumaha, a claim neither confirmed nor denied by JTF Sulu. “For us, we remain firm in our position of no ransom policy because the more we give ransom, the more kidnappings will take place,” Brigadier General Cirilito E. Sobejana, commander of JTF Sulu, said in Filipino. Mr. Sobejana gave assurance that JTF Sulu is doing its best to rescue the victims without paying the ransom. Malacañang, meanwhile, confirmed Thursday, May 3 that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is seeking the assistance of Moro National Liberation Front’s (MNLF) Nur Misuari for the release of the two policewomen. “We all know that the MNLF still has a presence in Sulu, so I think the President would want the MNLF to assist in the recovery of these two hostage victims,” he said. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz and Arjay L. Balinbin