| NUR MISUARI PLEDGES TO HELP SECURE RELEASE
OF HOSTAGES KUALA
LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Nur Misuari, the governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM), today pledged to do all he can to secure the release of the 21 people
abducted by six armed pirates in Sipadan island on Sunday night.
In an interview with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), he said the latest information he
had was that 17 of the hostages were being detained in Jolo island.
"Our latest pro intelligence (development report) is that the 17 of them have landed
in Jolo island. And I've asked my intelligence and military and security officers to find
out exactly the truth behind this report and report to me whatever the findings," he
said.
Nur Misuari, who is the chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), said he had
been given the mandate by Philippine President Joseph Estrada to help Malaysia in efforts
to secure the release of the hostages.
He said if it was confirmed that the pirates were members of Abu Sayyaf, he would try to
appoint a special negotiator to hold talks with the radical separatist group operating in
southern Philippines.
The governor, however, said he would not compromise if the abductors demanded money for
the release of the hostages.
"Estrada requested me to help resolve this hostage crisis because of my close ties
with Malaysians. I therefore wish to inform all Malaysians that the Moro people, led by
MNLF, will not rest until all the hostages, comprising Malaysians and others, are
freed," he said.
The six pirates, armed with AK-47 rifles and a bazooka, abducted the 21 people, comprising
10 Malaysians and 11 foreigners, after storming a police base and a resort in Sipadan
island, off the east coast of Sabah.
Back to Sipadan Hostages News
Back
to This Week's Borneo News |
