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In a text message, Mangudadatu told media here the rebels just crossed Sitio Pamantingan in Barangay Marquez as they proceeded to nearby Barangay Chua, also in Esperanza town.
“There was no hostage taking. The MILF forces just passed through the village,” he said.
The hostage taking was reported by Insp. Elorde Sandigan Macasilhig, chief of Esperanza PNP, to Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu, head of the Task Force on Law Enforcement in Southwestern Mindanao (Region 12).
Khu, in an interview over dxND, said the rebels seized Roy Martin, leader of Sitio Lipi-Lipian, also in Barangay Marquez; his wife Sheila; two children; and a certain Jun Bello, and used them as ‘human shields’ against pursuing soldiers.
“We already sent forces in the area, including soldiers, to pursue the rebels and rescue the family," said Khu. (Malu Cadelina-Manar/MindaNews)