June 23, 2012 News: A political officer of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in Western Mindanao denied of any involvement of the MILF members in kidnapping and other illegal activities.

Hassan Hatab said the name Wahid Pingli and Abubakar Pingli are not members of the front and their names are not found in the roster of the MILF either in political or in the military organ of the MILF.

Police Regional Office 9 Director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles presented to newsmen last June 18 the firearms and personal belongings of Wahid Pingli leader of kidnap-for-ransom gang who was killed in a shootout with lawmen in Sacol Island last June 17.

Estilles said police record showed that Wahid Pingli and his brother Abubakar Pingli along with members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) under Puruji Indama, Muntong Pula, Jun Akilan and Abu Casil were behind the kidnapping of Filipino-American Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, her son Kevin and Romnick Jackaria on July 21, 2011.

Estilles also said that Pingli brothers were also distributing prohibited drugs in Sacol Island, Arena Blanco, Zamboanga City, Siocon and Zamboanga Sibugay and they are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) assigned with 114th base Command in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Hatab said statements of Napoleon Estilles does not  hold water considering that he already said that Pingli brothers are in the company of Abu Sayyaf Group under Puruji Indama then how come they are also members of the MILF.

Perhaps the police officer only wanted to tarnish the good reputation of the MILF in Western Mindanao, because the MILF has never engaged in any illegal activities, Hatab said.

Hatab advised Estilles to refrain from making hasty accusation, saying this is not good for a police officer and the ongoing GPH-MILF peace negotiation and ceasefire.