‘Release of 2 female cops averted clashes’

MANILA, Philippines — Clashes would have erupted and things could have gone out of control if two policewomen were not released by their captors, President Duterte said yesterday.

He said government security forces would have clashed with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) or the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) if the policewomen had not been freed by the Abu Sayyaf bandit group. 

“I pleaded with Misuari. I told him to deliver them here, not just the women because that would heat things up. The police would fight back and take revenge against the members of the MI and MN, then it goes out of control,” Duterte said, referring to MNLF founder Nur Misuari.

“I said, ‘don’t harm the women because that would cause a lot of trouble. Their sentiments are deep. Don’t even touch them because – my God,’” he added during the the opening of the oil and gas production of the Alegria oil field in Cebu on Saturday. 

Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad were seized by the bandits in Patikul, Sulu on April 29. 

They were released to the MNLF in Indanan town over the weekend, police said.