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Despite arrest warrant, Misuari left country – MNLF spokesman
By MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB, GMA News
Despite an arrest warrant against him, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari is now out of the country to attend the 40th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council in Africa, his spokesperson claimed Tuesday.
Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, however, refused to disclose how Misuari was able to get away even though his passport was supposedly canceled by the Philippine government.
Malacañang on Tuesday said it will be looking into reports that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari was able to leave the country despite having a canceled passport.
"Since that is a violation of the cancellation of the passport, we will look into the circumstance ng paglabas niya sa bansa," Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a press briefing.
Coloma issued the statement after Misuari's spokesman, Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, claimed that Misuari is now out of the country to attend the 40th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council in Africa.
Asked how Misuari could have left the country, Coloma said: "Hindi ko po alam kung paano naganap dahil pinaghahanap pa siya."
He likewise said they will still have to inquire with concerned authorities on whether the Philippine government can ask the International Criminal Police Organization to arrest Misuari if he really is overseas.
Misuari and at least 80 of his followers are facing charges of rebellion and violation of International Humanitarian Law for the Zamboanga City attack that left more than 200 people dead.
Last Sept. 9, Misuari’s followers entered parts of the city and battled government troops, even taking civilian hostages.
Government forces took back the MNLF-controlled areas and declared the crisis over by Sept. 28. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News
Fontanilla said Misuari is only a fugitive in the eyes of the Philippine government.
"But as far as the international community is concerned, Misuari is not a fugitive," Fontanilla told GMA News Online by phone.
Misuari was supposedly invited as the MNLF representative in the fifth tripartite meeting to be held after the 40th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers session in Guinea, West Africa.
Misuari and some of his men are wanted for their their role in a three-week attack in Zamboanga City last September that left over 200 people dead, most of them MNLF fighters.
Although not physically present during the attack, Misuari allegedly ordered the siege as he accused the government of disregarding them in the peace negotiations it is conducting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Misuari will report to the OIC council on the Philippine government's "illegal unilateral actions" against the MNLF during the attack, as well as their issuance of the arrest warrant, Fontanilla said.
Fontanilla also warned that the MNLF "can institute possible sanctions against Philippine government."
He noted these may be in the form of an "embargo of goods" as well as disqualification of Filipino workers for jobs in OIC member countries. "Pwede hintuan ang pagse-send ng mga OFWs," Fontanilla said.
"The MNLF has been with the OIC since 1976. You can just imagine the standing of the MNLF in the OIC," Fontanilla said.
The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with 57 member states spread over four continents, according to its website.
The organization supposedly represents the "collective voice of the Muslim world and ensuring to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world," its website said.
AFP: No confirmation yet
Reached for a comment, Armed Forces of the Philippines information chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said they have yet to receive confirmation that Misuari is in Africa.
Zagala assured that the military would support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in implementing "the immediate arrest of Nur Misuari." He said Misuari's arrest is part of PNP's law enforcement duties rather than a military operation.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac refused to give a statement on Misuari's departure from the country.
He said they have no information that Misuari has left the Philippines, adding that their manhunt operations are still ongoing.
The MNLF signed a peace pact with the government in 1996, but the rebels claimed last year's signing of a Bangsamoro Framework Agreement with their relatively mainstream breakaway group, the MILF, sidelined that peace agreement. — KG/RSJ, GMA News
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