Trial vs. Nur Misuari on rebellion charges suspended for peace talks

Court proceedings on the rebellion charges against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari have been suspended for the holding of peace talks.

In a resolution, Pasig City Judge Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro granted Misuari's motion to suspend proceedings and enforcement of arrest warrants for six months.

"The suspension of proceedings and enforcement of the warrants of arrest against accused Nur Misuari shall be for a period of six months from the date of this resolution, unless sooner lifted by this Court," stated the resolution dated October 27. 

Apart from rebellion, Misuari is also facing a case for violation of international humanitarian law. 

Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the development was "connected with the [peace] talks," adding that Misuari would be scheduled to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Si Presidente naman, sinabi niya, kahit saan pwede siya. What's important is there will be a meeting," said Panelo in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

Misuari is now in Manila, according to a text message from Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza.

It was Dureza who fetched Misuari from Sulu.

However, Panelo clarified that the cases filed against the MNLF leader would remain, explaining that court proceedings before the Pasig Regional Trial Court branch 158 are merely "suspended." 

"Actually in-extend lang ang prosecution... Hindi lang mawawala ang kaso. Ang proceedings ng court ay suspendido muna," said Panelo.

Misuari, the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are directed to seek travel authorization from the Court in the event that the peace talks are to be held outside the Philippines.

The MNLF leader has to report to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where the talks are being held and the DOJ and OPAPP must ensure this, the resolution stated. 

Malaysia is the third party facilitator of the Mindanao peace process. 

The Court also ordered Misuari, OPAPP and DOJ to submit monthly reports on Misuari's whereabouts and progress of the peace talks and the DOJ must file a motion to lift suspension of proceedings "as soon as it becomes apparent that the peace talks are about to be or already terminated." 

Lastly, the MNLF founding leader must submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court following the termination of peace talks or at any time that the suspension of proceedings is lifted.

Last August, Duterte disclosed that he had spoken with Misuari over the phone.

During the supposed conversation, Misuari reportedly suggested meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for peace talks.

The President, on the other hand, reportedly told Misuari that he does not want to put the MNLF chairman in detention so they can push through with the peace talks between the government and the Moros.

The following month, in September, Duterte confirmed that he had given Misuari and Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza the full authority to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as part of the peace talks.

Charges vs. Misuari

In 2013, an arrest warrant was issued against Misuari and three others over a 20-day attack in Zamboanga City, which led to the deaths of over 200 people and the displacement of thousands of others.

The issuance of arrest warrants came after the DOJ filed rebellion charges and violation of the International Humanitarian Law (Republic Act 9851) against Misuari, MNLF commander Habier Malik, and 60 others.

Meanwhile, as early as two years ago, the government, through the DOJ, had considered lifting the arrest warrant Misuari so he could attend congressional hearings on the Bangsamoro bill in 2014. — with Virgil Lopez/VVP/RSJ/KG, GMA News