Senator Leila de Lima wants Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari to face “full prosecution” for the 2013 Zamboanga siege as she warned of the consequences of appeasing a “recalcitrant peace partner” like him.
De Lima, former justice secretary, said she would prefer that Misuari face “full prosecution” for his alleged role in the siege “while continuing to engage constructively with the other MNLF groups.”
“I presume that the President’s action must be an act of confidence building for peace talks and unification. That is his call,” the senator said in a text message when sought for comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that the lifting of the warrant of arrest against Misuari was upon his orders.
“However, we must remind him that Misuari is almost a recalcitrant peace partner, talking peace when it suits him, and waging war when convenient, without due regard to civilian lives and the lives of our soldiers,” she said.
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De Lima believes that the government has enough evidence to prosecute Misuari for the Zamboanga siege, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people in the province.
“If asked for my unsolicited advice, I would prefer full prosecution of Misuari for the crimes committed during the Zamboanga siege, while continuing to engage constructively with the other MNLF groups,” she said.
The senator pointed out that “Misuari is not the MNLF.”
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She, however, acknowledged that it would be up to the President’s judgment insofar as the exigencies of the peace talks and peace efforts are concerned.
“I will not second guess him on this, neither will I actively oppose it, but just a reminder to him that for every action, especially when it comes to appeasing Misuari, there are always consequences,” De Lima said.
“We don’t want another Zamboanga siege if Misuari does not get what he wants this time, whatever that may be. In the meantime, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) should prepare itself for any fallout, just in case, Misuari’s MNLF faction not being a spent force yet,” she further said.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the issue of holding Misuari accountable for his crimes should be left to the courts.
“But for me, it’s always heartwarming to see former protagonists together and former warriors talking peace,” Escudero, who is part of the Senate minority bloc, said in a separate text message.
“At the end of the day, the primordial consideration for me is for Filipinos to already stop killing each other,” he said.
Senator Gringo Honasan said everyone must be ready to pay the “political and social cost” if the country wants to achieve lasting peace.
“If peace, not only in Mindanao but in the entire country, is part of our national interest to promote economic development and begin to seriously address poverty, hunger, social injustice and inequality, then we must be prepared to pay the political and social cost to achieve lasting peace for the nation,” Honasan said in another text message. CDG/rga