Camp Aguinaldo, Jan. 23, 1998 - The military has advised 15 foreign nuns and priests in South Cotabato to move to safer grounds because of kidnapping threats from the extremist rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Lt. General Ismael Villareal, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff, told a news conference that the MILF has a camp in the area.
"As a preventive measure, we are asking these nuns to move to safer grounds," Villareal said. "They should heed our advice, especially so when there has been a series of kidnappings in Lanao. An MILF cap is still there; the rebels have been there for quite some time."
Villareal made the appeal after Army Col. Delfin Lorenzana made public an intelligence report which revealed that Muslim bandits led by Commander Tahir Alonto are planning to attack soldiers securing the Trappist monastery in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
The soldiers were sent to secure the area after the head of the monastery received extortion letters from the rebel group demanding P3 million in exchange for the safety of the foreign nuns and monks in the area.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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