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Abu Sayyaf releases three Indonesian hostages
 [Mindanao Examiner] Abu Sayyaf rebels on Sunday freed 3 Indonesian hostages to the Moro National Liberation Front in the southern Philippines. Officials identified them as Muhammad Mahbrur Dahri, Ferry Arifin and Edi Suryono, all tugboat crew members who were kidnapped in Sabah on June 22. The boat was heading to East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines when gunmen on speedboats intercepted the vessel.MNLF chief Nur Misuari, escorted by dozens of armed followers, personally handed over the hostages to Sulu Governor Totoh Tan. Tan immediately turned them over to the Philippine military after feeding them. Indonesian media previously reported that the hostages were held by the cell of Alhabsi Misaya, a former MNLF militant. Misaya left the MNLF and joined the Abu Sayyaf several years ago after Misuari reportedly ordered his execution, according to military intelligence reports. Recently, Malaysia has ordered negotiators to intensify talks with the Abu Sayyaf in an effort to secure the freedom of five Malaysian tugboat crew members being held captive in Sulu. The Abu Sayyaf contacted the Malaysian newspaper The Star and allowed one of the hostages Mohd Ridzuan Ismail to speak to its staff. Mohd Ridzuan said they were constantly being threatened and beaten by the Abu Sayyaf, and pleaded desperately with authorities to secure their safe release. He said, "We can’t bear it anymore. We are in pain. All of us are sick. We have cuts on our bodies. We are weak. No food to eat. What’s more, we are beaten. There are people who want to shoot us. Please help us." He said a man who introduced himself as Abu Rami demanded P100 million ransoms for the five Malaysian hostages, who are reportedly being held in three separate groups in Luuk town. Mohd Ridzuan said their captors only give them rice and rarely feed them. "We're suffering in Jolo (Sulu) Island. We appeal to the Malaysian government and our boss to negotiate for our release as we want to return home as soon as possible. We are frightened. This is not our place. They whack us and they told us that they can shoot us," he said. Posted by: ryuge 2016-10-04 |
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