RP 'inactive' over kidnapped girl

Wed, 12 Nov 1997 | Source: AFP

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): The father of a two-year-old girl kidnapped by bandits in July, accused the government yesterday of "inaction" over his daughter's abduction while acting immediately to free an Irish priest.

Noli Ledda said the government had moved swiftly to seek the freedom of priest Desmond Hartford who was held hostage by former Moslem rebels for 11 days until his release Saturday.

But he claimed Manila had not shown the same zeal in searching for his daughter Lyka Ledda who was snatched by a group of Moslem bandits on July 27 in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao province near this southern city.

The kidnappers have demanded three million pesos (US$87,200) for the release of the girl, whom her father said suffers from asthma.

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