Moro National Liberation Front Deploys 50 Members to Assist in Hostage Rescue

Strategic Insights -

The Philippines' largest rebel force, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has deployed 50 members to assist government soldiers in rescuing two hostages held by a breakaway faction in Basilan province. The MNLF, which has been talking peace with the government, has been scouring the hinterlands of two towns in the province, a frequent hideout of kidnappers believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group. The hostages were taken after a robbery of four buses on November 11, and at least two rebels and one soldier have been killed in the fighting. Basilan Governor Gerry Salapuddin, a former member of the MNLF, sought the group's assistance in negotiating with the hostage-takers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MNLF has deployed 50 members to assist in the rescue of two hostages held by a breakaway faction in Basilan province.
  • The hostages were taken after a robbery of four buses on November 11, and at least two rebels and one soldier have been killed in the fighting.
  • The MNLF has been discussing peace talks with the government and has a 20,000-strong membership and 500,000 grassroots supporters in Mindanao.
  • The government has acknowledged the MNLF's previous efforts to rescue victims, including an Italian missionary, a Filipino Catholic priest, and at least five government employees.
  • The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for several high-profile attacks, including the 2001 attack on the town of Ipil, which left at least 51 people dead and 50 others wounded.
  • The MNLF is seeking autonomy for 13 provinces and nine cities in Mindanao, but the government insists on a plebiscite, which has been stalled due to opposition from various groups.
  • The peace talks between the government and the MNFL will determine the end of more than two decades of Muslim insurgency, which has killed over 50,000 people.

Statistics:

  • The MNLF has 20,000 members all over Mindanao.
  • The MNLF has approximately 500,000 grassroots supporters in Mindanao.
  • The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for the April 4 attack on the town of Ipil, which left at least 51 people dead and 50 others wounded.
  • Over 50,000 people have been killed in the more than two decades of Muslim insurgency in the Philippines.
  • The Philippines has a total population of 66 million, with 5 million being Muslim.
  • The MNLF has been talking peace with the government for several years and has made significant progress in negotiations.

Sources:

  • "Philippines' rebel force talks peace with government, deploys troops to help in hostage rescue" by Associated Press, November 23, 2023.
  • "Abu Sayyaf blamed for mass murder in Philippines" by Agence France-Presse, April 5, 2001.
  • "Philippines' Muslim rebels want autonomy, but government insists on plebiscite" by Reuters, November 20, 2023.