Makati court dismisses rebellion case vs Misuari

Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari is not guilty of staging rebellion in the 2001 attack he led in southern Philippines, a Makati court ruled Wednesday. In a 10-page decision penned by Judge Winlove Dumayas, the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 acquitted Misuari and said the prosecution failed to produce enough evidence to prove his guilt. Misuari founded the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1972. In September 1996, the MNLF entered into a peace agreement with the government. That same year (1996), Misuari was elected as the ARMM's first governor. Misuari's acquittal came a day after he filed his certificate of candidacy for Sulu governor under the Bangon Pilipinas party led by Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Misuari ran for the same post in 2007, but lost to then reelectionist Abdusakor Tan.

Misuari’s stint as ARMM governor from 1996 to 2001 had been marred with controversies, with the Council of 15 of the MNLF accusing him of being incompetent as governor. In November 2001, on the eve of ARMM elections, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement. He then launched attacks in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed. He subsequently escaped by boat to Malaysia but was arrested there and deported to the Philippines where he was charged with rebellion and was out on bail. - Sophia Dedace/ RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV