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Philippine Military to Coordinate With Rebel MILF in Rescuing Chinese Hostage
The Philippine military said Tuesday it will coordinate with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its search and rescue operations for the remaining Chinese hostage held in the southern province of Maguindanao.
Despite having tagged the MILF as involved in the abduction and killing of two Chinese nationals, the military is taking necessary steps that would avoid "engaging MILF forces," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan told reporters in Manila.
The secessionist MILF and the government, who have resumed peace talks this year, signed a ceasefire agreement in Malaysia early this month.
Adan said pursuing troops are under strict instruction to make sure the remaining Chinese hostage, Zhang Zhongyi, and a Filipino Chinese businessman, Edwin Lim, are rescued alive.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungui, speaking at a memorial service here Tuesday morning for the two killed Chinese hostages, Zhang's brother Zhang Zhongqiang and Xue Xing, said, "We have strongly demanded that the Philippine side take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the remaining Chinese hostage and, under this circumstance, to have the kidnapped released as soon as possible."
Zhang Zhongyi and his two compatriots, Xue Xing and Wang Shengli, together with Lim, were seized by a kidnap gang called " Pentagon" in the southern province of Maguindanao on August 12 while trying to secure Zhang Zhongqiang, who was seized by the gang on June 20.
Zhang Zhongqiang and Xue were killed in an encounter between the kidnappers and the military in Maguindanao's neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat on August 19, while Wang managed to escape and was recovered the military.
The four Chinese nationals are among some 60 employees of the China Electric Power Technology Import and Export Corp. working on an irrigation project in the province of North Cotabato.
Also on Tuesday, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied claims that his group is supporting Pentagon, as claimed by Pentagon's spokesman Mohammad Faizal.
Faizal claimed earlier in a radio interview that proceeds from Pentagon's kidnap-for-ransom operations would fund the secessionist movement of the MILF.
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