MANILA, Philippines — A year after the Zamboanga City siege, authorities are still looking for Nur Misuari, founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and leader of the faction that engaged in almost a month-long gunfight with Philippine forces.
Although last spotted in Sulu in August, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. admitted that the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has yet to be found and arrested.
Nur Misuari. FILE PHOTO
“Patuloy siyang tinutugis ng ating mga awtoridad para ma-serve ‘yung warrant of arrest laban sa kanya (He is still being pursued by authorities so the warrant of arrest against him may be served),” Coloma said during a press briefing.
The Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court in October last year ordered the arrest of Misuari and his top three aids in connection with the Zamboanga City siege, which left parts of the city in ruins and more than 200 people dead.
An MNLF official earlier confirmed that Misuari appeared near the town of Panamao in Sulu to call for independence last August 24. He said Misuari convened a meeting attended by 2,000 MNLF fighters.
Before the Zamboanga City siege, Misuari called for independence as he complained of their unresolved issues with the Philippine government and being left out of the new peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which will create a Bangsamoro political entity.
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