Deles: Confusing messages from Misuari, MNLF about Zamboanga City attack

The national government is having a hard time deciphering what Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder and former chairman Nur Misuari wants because of his and his men's contradicting statements.

“Isa naman ito sa maraming kaguluhang mensahe na binibigay nila simula't simula pa,” presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita 'Ging' Deles said in an interview with News To Go Wednesday.

She was referring to Misuari's statement disowning the actions of the men led by Habier Malik in Zamboanga City, when Malik himself told her over the phone that she should talk with Misuari regarding the MNLF's move.

Deles was able to talk with Malik Tuesday last week in an effort to solve the then-brewing crisis.

“Nung Martes, at that particular time, hindi pa ganun kalala yung sitwasyon, naghahanap ng papaano ba, kung sino ang pwedeng makausap at nakarating sa akin na gusto niya [Malik] daw ako kausapin at tinawagan ko siya, sinabi niya ayaw niya rin yung nangyayari at lahat naman ng problema may solusyon. Dapat daw si Chair Misuari ang aking kausapin,” she said.

She asked for Misuari's number but Malik told her that he would instead arrange for her to talk with Misuari. Deles phoned Malik after an hour but the latter did not answer her call.

'Ano ba talaga?'

Government security forces have been engaging MNLF fighters in the southern city since September 9, when the armed group tried to hoist their flag at the Zamboanga City Hall.

Deles also said that even MNLF spokespersons, whom she did not name, have different explanations for the actions of Misuari men.

“Kahit yung interpretasyon nila kung ano ang nangyayari, dalawang spokesperson, sabi nung isa peaceful rally pero may armas, sabi nung isa hindi pang-peaceful rally, pang independent march yan,” she said.

“So hindi ito ang unang beses na nag iiba-iba at mahirap intindihin at therefore ang tanong lagi e ano ba talaga?”

'Misuari was never excluded'

Deles also said that Misuari may be claiming that the government has already disregarded the MNLF when, she said, the rebel group and other stakeholders were actually invited to the consultations for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

“Alam ko si Misuari nagpunta dun sa malawakang consultation at hindi siya pinagsalita para makinig siya,” she said.

She reiterated that the government continued to talk with Misuari.

“Siguro ang kailangan alalahanin na while hindi siya [Misuari] masaya, the reality is may pakikipag-usap sa kanya through the tripartite implementation review na nagsimula pa nung 2007 at pinagpapatuloy namin at meron ngang nakatakdang usapin noong Lunes, nitong Sept. 16 [sa Jakarta],” said Deles.

The talk was postponed because of Misuari's inability to attend.

“Meron kaming nakaschedule na meeting nitong 16th na siya ngayon ang hindi pwedeng makapunta dahil sa sitwasyon daw sa Zamboanga na sila naman ang nagsimula,” Deles said.

She said it was Misuari who rejected the proposals.

“Misuari was never excluded dun sa pag-uusap namin, sa tripartite implementation review, lahat ng ihahain, sasabihin ito ang problema nila, lahat ng ihahain na proposal, siya ang tumatanggi. Mukhang siya ang minarginalize, sa tutuo siya ang laging tumatanggi sa proposal na nilalahad,” she added.

Deles said that the other senior members of MNLF had expressed support for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

“Ang gumalaw sa Zamboanga ay hindi buong MNLF at nung nangyari ang pirmahan ng Framework Agreement ay may mga mensahe ang MNLF senior members as well as community on the ground na nagsasabi na they support it, gusto nilang nangyari itong kapayapaan at nananawagan nga sa kanilang leader na mag-unite. Ang gusto nila ay magkaroon na ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” she said.

She added that other ethnic groups were not excluded in the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

“It cannot be a lasting peace kung merong nae-exclude kaya nga ang ginawa natin dun sa Transition Commission, we invited MNLF, dalawang faction, na mag-nominate pero tinanggihan nila. Marami yung mga Tausug. Ang pinakamalaking ethnic group sa Transition Commission ay Tausug. May representative ang Kristiyano, may ninominate ang local government units. Ang ating pakay ay yung pagkakataon kung saan ang Bangsamoro ay mag-usap kung ano ang gusto nilang mangyari dito,” said Deles.

'Putting pressure' on people

Asked if Misuari's men are committing terrorism with their attack on Zamboanga City, Deles said she does not want to use the word but “certainly it is an action that puts pressure on people...when you cannot understand what is it that he really wants.”

“Certainly tinakot ang mga tao, pinangamba, hindi pinakilos. Hanggang ngayon ang trauma ay mabigat hindi lang sa diretsong nahostage kundi sa buong Zamboanga at buong Mindanao dahil natatakot na baka may pagkilos na ganyang nangyayari,” she said

As of Wednesday morning, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr., said 152 hostages have been rescued while less than 100 remain in the hands of the MNLF gunmen.
 
On the part of government forces, Tutaan said, 14 have been killed, including 11 soldiers and three police officers; and 127 others wounded, including 105 soldiers and 12 police officers.
 
On the other hand, 86 MNLF members have been reported killed and 93 were either arrested or have surrendered to authorities.
 
Meanwhile, seven civilians have been reported killed while 67 others were wounded due to the armed conflict. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News