MNLF leaders hopeful Misuari
freed in June
By Gandhi
C. Kinjiyo / Mindanews / 22 May 2006
PALIMBANG,
Sultan Kudarat -- Top officials of the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF) said their founding chairman Nur Misuari would be
released by June or before end-May owing to calls made by the
Organization of the Islamic Conference for his freedom
Misuari is facing rebellion charges and has been detained since
2002, or six years after the MNLF entered into a final peace
agreement with the Philippine government.
“There has been no probable cause that would indict the chairman
(Misuari), thus, he should have long been released,” MNLF Vice
Chairman Jimmy Labawan said in an interview with MindaNews.
MNLF Secretary-General Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim and National
Coordinator Haji Gapul Hadjirul shared Labawan’s optimism.
The three attended the special meeting with the MNLF armed
forces and supporters at Camp Nur Misuari, this town, to convey
what transpired during the visit of the OIC delegation that
assessed the implementation of the 1996 peace pact.
The three officials claimed Misuari, who has been demanding a
fast resolution of his case, has suffered in detention.
“The visit of the OIC delegates has revitalized us. We know that
since Chairman Nur was detained, many among the Bangsamoro
people have lost hope over the implementation of the 1996 peace
accord,” Labawan said.
“We are happy to inform you that our chairman is as strong and
active as before despite the ordeal he suffers under the hands
of the government,” Ustadz Murshi told a crowd of supporters.
“Chairman Misuari may have not been physically tortured, but
mentally he is,” he added.
Haji Gapul further claimed the government tried to keep away the
OIC delegation from MNLF leaders loyal to Misuari during their
Mindanao visit.
He said Misuari’s transfer to a mini-mansion in Quezon City was
a ‘showoff’ to make it appear that he was getting special care
from the government. Nevertheless, he was thankful for the
comfort it has brought to their chairman.
Hadjirul divulged that Libyan Ambassador Salem Adem assured
Misuari during the delegation’s official visit to his ‘house
arrest residence’ on May 16 that “the OIC-Committee of Eight
recognizes only his leadership.”
Adem made the statement in the presence of the so-called MNLF
Executive Council of 15 who earlier declared Misuari ousted as
chairman. They later returned, however, the chairmanship to
Misuari and claimed that they were back in their previous
designations.
“Chairman Nur has not officially accepted them back, but advised
them to ask the people from the ground if they still want them,”
Hadjirul said.
Hadjirul added the OIC delegation “invited the chairman (Misuari)
to the upcoming meeting of the OIC Head of States at Azerbaijan
on June 17 and the tripartite meeting in Jeddah anytime this
July, thus, they must release Chairman Nur as early as
possible.”
The meeting here ended with a prayer asking for divine guidance
to the MNLF leadership and the immediate release of Misuari.
