May 28, 2001, INQ7, Misuari denies MNLF role in Palawan kidnapping,

May 28, 2001, INQ7, Misuari denies MNLF role in Palawan kidnapping,

ARMM Governor Nur Misuari denied the Moro National Liberation Front’s (MNLF) involvement in the kidnapping of 20 tourists in Dos Palmas Arrecife Island resort, Palawan on Sunday. 

Misuari told a radio interview that the MNLF "never engages in these kind of activities or face expulsion if they do." 

In fact, Misuari said, the MNLF national security command reportedly sighted two speedboats headed towards "an undefined destination" 11 days ago. He said this was before the abductions at the Pearl Farm in Davao and Dos Palmas. "But we can only speculate," Misuari added. 

Misuari also said that the MNLF "would just be too happy" to help the government if asked. Misuari said he had told President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the MNLF "supports her administration." 

Earlier, Misuari tried but failed to negotiate for the release of 21 hostages whom the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped in April 2000 off Sipadan island in Malaysia.