THE kidnapped nephew of a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front has been released and two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were arrested in Sulu on Saturday in connection with his kidnapping, an official said Sunday.
Citing a police report, Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said 20-year-old Omar Carlo Masdal was released around 11 a.m. by the group of Abdel dela Cruz in Latih village in Patikul.
The military and police say Dela Cruz is the leader of the Ajang-Ajang group who has close links with the sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf.
“Masdal is a student from the Sulu State College and is reportedly a nephew of the late MNLF commander Habier Malik,” Arrojado said.
Malik, the right-hand man of MNLF founder Nur Misuari, led the bloody Zamboanga City siege in 2014. Months later, the MNLF announced Malik’s death.
Police said Masdal was abducted on Feb. 14 in Buanza village, Indanan, Sulu, by Dela Cruz’ group.
“He [Masdal] was mistaken for a member of a wealthy family,” Arrojado said.
“The release was made possible through the negotiations being facilitated by an unidentified MNLF commander. The victim is now with his family.”
Fifteen minutes after the release, the military and police personnel manning a Commission on Elections checkpoint intercepted two suspected Abu Sayyaf members around 11:15 a.m. in Sitio Sligpang in Barangay Lower Patbulan, Panamao.
The two were on a motorcycle when intercepted.
