MNLF leader Nur Misuari. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Three months after the Moro National Liberation Front attacked Zamboanga City, the military reiterated its appeal to founding chairman Nur Misuari, who is believed to be in Sulu, to turn himself over to authorities.
“If he is really innocent wherever he may be he should show himself up and answer the allegations against him,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told reporters on Monday.
It was on Sept. 9 when the MNLF of the Misuari faction stormed the city hall to create the “Bangsamoro Republik.” They claimed feeling left out in the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The attacks on the ground were led by his top follower, Habier Malik. The siege left over 200 MNLF forces killed, dozens of civilian and government forces killed, hundreds wounded and over a hundred thousand displaced. The city is now on early recovery phase.
“There is already a warrant of arrest for him, to make him answerable, give him a chance first to defend himself if he is guilty or not,” Zagala said.
Misuari is believed to be in Sulu, based on the military’s information this month, Zagala said.
But Zagala also emphasized that although the police is the lead agency tracking down Misuari, the AFP will make all available personnel assets to help them.
‘Healing session’ for MNLF dependents
Dependents of the MNLF-Misuari Group members in the Zamboanga crisis were also given “healing session” and received cash assistance.
A report by the Army’s First Infantry Division on Monday said the initiative was part of the Mindanao Week of Peace in Parangbasak village in Lamitan City in Basilan. It was held last December 4.
“Only through this effort that the MNLF-MG dependents understand what happened in Zamboanga City that took the lives of their loved ones,” Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr., commander of the First Infantry Division said in a statement.
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