(Update) State forces pursue Maguindanao abductors

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Nov. 23 – Military and police forces are hot on the trail of a heavily armed group that abducted a group of 40 persons, including members of a Maguindanao political clan and journalists who accompanied them in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, Monday.

Those snatched were Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, and her sisters-in-law Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu and Farina Mangudadatu.

Also taken were lawyers Connie Brezuela and Cynthia Oquendo, both Mangudadatu’s legal counsels.

Four of the abducted journalists were identified as Manila Bulletin correspondent Bong Reblando, Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo, DZRH correspondent Henry Araneta, Andy Teodoro of UNTV and local tabloid reporter Joy Duhay.

The victims were on their way to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, to file the certificate of candidacy of Ismael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor when snatched.

The Army’s 6th ID has earlier closed the Cotabato-Maguindanao highway due to a firefight following the abduction between state forces and th4 armed group.

The Mangudadatus in Maguindanao are relatives of Sultan Kudarat, Governor Suharto Mangudadatu, and his father, Sultan Kudarat Congressman Pax Mangudadatu, a former member of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Mangudadatu, in an interview over Catholic-ran DXND in Kidapawan City, said his last contact with his wife was around 9:30 a.m. Genalyn and her convoy left Buluan town an hour earlier.

Around 11:30 a.m. Mangudadatu received disturbing reports that six of those abducted were beheaded by the armed men.

“I don’t know if my wife, Jijie, (Genalyn) was one of those beheaded. The beheading was confirmed by our people in the area,” he said during the interview.

Authorities have yet to confirm the report. Mangudadatu has called on authorities to exert all efforts for the safe and immediate retrieval of his wife and companions soon. (PNA)

LAP/NYP/MCM/

Similar Posts:

• CHR seeks disarming of Maguindanao’s private armies
• Presidential aide wants Maguindanao placed under state of emergency after civilians' massacre
• PNP chief flies to Maguindanao to personally oversee ongoing probe of massacre
• Maguindanao ex-mayor survives ambush
• 24 more bodies retrieved from Maguindanao massacre site; confirmed casualties now 46