Court postpones
Misuari arraignment
Posted: 10:12 AM (Manila Time) | May 15, 2002
INQ7.net

LAWYERS OF Nur Misuari on Wednesday succeeded anew in delaying the arraignment of the detained leader, citing the courts could not proceed until the various pending motions of the defense are resolved.

The Calamba Regional Trial Court has reset to May 30 the arraignment of Misuari on charges of rebellion, a radio report said.

Misuari counsel Homobono Adaza told the Radio Mindanao Network the scheduled arraignment on Wednesday could not push through because the court has yet to issue a decision on four motions they filed in connection with the rebellion charge.

"These are prejudicial questions. The court can't arraign him until all our motions are resolved," said another Misuari lawyer Salvador Panelo in a separate television interview.

Among these are motions to quash the warrant of arrest, conduct preliminary investigation, seeking probable cause for the rebellion case, and an appeal to hold a trial open to the public and accessible to media.

In a ten-minute interview with the media, Misuari was quoted as saying he would seek justice from "higher courts" if the court will not treat his case fairly.

He also assailed the government for violating the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the Moro National Liberation Front.

A makeshift courtroom was earlier constructed in the police camp for the trial due to concerns MNLF members of his old rebel group would disrupt the proceedings.

Misuari who heads the MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996 that installed him governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.