February 23, 2010 – Two Moro students of Islamic school (Madrasah) were arbitrarily arrested by intelligence operatives of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Barangay Salip Yasin in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province last February 21, 2010.

Intelligence and CIDG operatives on board Toyota blue Revo bearing plate numbers 283 and KIA with plate numbers JBN 696 suddenly stopped the two students identified as Ansar Sibing and Abraham Ibnu who were riding on a motorcycle, said report obtained by this website.

Several residents had witnessed the execution of arrest which was without warrantless, adding the innocent victims came from the downtown Kabasalan that Sunday afternoon, the report said.

Families immediately reported the incident with the Kabasalan police blotter, and had located yesterday their sons Ansar and Abraham, 18 and 20 years respectively, being detained at the locked up cell of the Criminal investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Zamboanga City.

Accordingly, the two students are facing raps of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Benjamin Pangilinan, an ex-military officer, who was earlier allegedly kidnapped at Manicahan, Zamboanga City.

Ansar and Abraham vehemently denied any involvement with the said abduction of the ex military man, said in a text message by Barahama Ali, Member of the MILF Ceasefire Committee.

Ali said he personally know the victims of illegal arrest and even vouched that the two students are innocent and could not be involved in any criminality.

Pangilinan was reportedly released in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, which was made basis by government law enforcers as the area where his captors are holding based.
Ansar and Abraham are residents of Barangay Mamagon in Kabasalan, a village lived at by 100% Moro tribes.

Civilians and MILF units in Kabasalan and in the province chided that the released of Pangilinan in Kabasalan was made only to justify targeted arrests and operations by the government authorities in the area against MILF personalities and civilians associated MILF.
Families also reported the incident to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and sought the latter’s intervention and assistance for equal protection and justice.
Moro civilians in Sibugay are held in engrossed fear and apprehension now following the arrest of Ansar and Abraham, which they called as undermining their confidence with the ongoing GRP - MILF peace process.

Inflicting harm and abuses, other than being basically constituting violation human rights, also violates the GRP – MILF Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities or Ceasefire Accord.

The MILF Ceasefire Committee conveyed that it will file the necessary complaint on these cases of illegal arrests to its counterpart with the Government Ceasefire Committee.