Former MNLF, MILF rebels suspected of kidnapping Italian

Authorities are eyeing a lawless group composed of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters who have turned to criminal activities as behind the abduction of Italian Rolando Del Torchio from his pizzeria Wednesday in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte.

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the leader of the group as “Commander Red Eye.”

He said Red Eye and his group were among the lawless groups that operate in Zambonga Peninsula and other provinces in Western Mindanao. The said group is reportedly involved in kidnapping, extortion, and other illegal money-making schemes. It also has ties with the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The official likewise said it is not remote that Torchio, a former missionary priest assigned in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, has already been passed to the ASG and taken to Sulu.

Torchio was abducted Wednesday evening by 10 armed men, four of them posing as customers at his “Ur Choice” pizza parlor located on Andres Bonifacio College Drive, Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City.

Investigation showed, Torchio was dragged by the gunmen into a silver colored L300 Mitsubishi Van with plate number TMY-490 before being transferred to a pump boat waiting along the Boulevard in Dipolog City.

Another military official gave the real name of Commander Red Eye as Saher Muloc, allegedly the leader of the Muloc lawless group.

The official said that apart from leading the Muloc group, Red Eye is the commander of the “provincial police force” of the 113th Base Command of the MILF. Muloc’s son, Julmine, was reportedly a drug trafficker.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said they have suspects in the kidnapping of Torchio but he could not disclose their identities because there is an ongoing joint military and police pursuit operation.

When asked about reports that Torchio has been taken by his captors to Sulu, where Filipino Maritess Flor and the three foreigners – Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad were also taken after they were abducted in Davao last Sept. 21,  Guerrero replied, “there are reports, but these are for validation, confirmation.”

“We are receiving the same information, so we are validating all of these. Nevertheless, we are continuing our focused military operation and in coordination with the Philippine National Police because there are still nine hostages in Sulu, so our efforts are continuing,” Guerrero said.

• Philippine forces mount massive search for abducted Italian Rolando del Torchio