Gov’t to charge Misuari et al. with rebellion, other raps

MNLF leader Nur Misuari FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The government is readying charges of rebellion and of violating international law against Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari and his followers for their three-week occupation of Zamboanga City, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Friday.

Scores of people have been killed, over a thousand driven out of their homes and a wide section of Zambonga burned to the ground in fighting between MNLF fighters and government forces since September 9.

“There are many who have been charged, by batches. Our prosecutors have conducted inquests. Those who surrendered go straight to inquest. But those who are not in Zamboanga anymore, or those who are still there will be charged, including Misuari and other commanders,” De Lima told reporters.

Misuari, by virtue of command responsibility, faces a charge of rebellion under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act No. 9851 or the 2005 Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

More than 200 MNLF members have been captured or have surrendered since their occupation of a section of Zamboanga City began on Sept. 9.

Last Sept. 11, De Lima formed a five-member panel of prosecutors to help the police gather evidence against those involved in the attack.

Prosecutor-General Claro Arellano said last Wednesday that the DOJ would ask the Supreme Court to transfer the venue of the trial of the rebellion cases to be filed against the MNLF members from Zamboanga to Manila.