MANILA, Philippines — Nur Misuari, the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front and a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Tuesday condemned the beheading of a school principal in Sulu.

“This kind of action must be condemned by all Islamic citizens of the country,” Misuari said of the beheading of Gabriel Canizares, 36. “We cannot accept this kind of criminality taking place.”

Misuari spoke with reporters at the Commission on Elections, where he met with Comelec Chair Jose Melo to seek an extension of the registration of voters in the
ARMM.

He said extremist groups scattered in the region should not prey on teachers.

“I was a school teacher myself. I used to teach in some colleges and universities in the Philippines. It will be a big loss to see one principal being killed for no reason at all [other than that] the family did not come up with the ransom [demand],” Misuari said.

Misuari also said the Comelec should extend the registration of voters in Sulu because the armed encounters between the military and separatist insurgents had disrupted the proceedings and displaced the locals.

The voter registration in the ARMM for the 2010 national elections started on Oct. 19 and ended on Oct. 31.

Melo said the Comelec would study Misuari’s request.

He said the poll body would ask the military and its field officers in Sulu about the peace and order situation there.