Nur to do an Estrada, will dismiss lawyers

Jailed former governor Nur Misuari has decided to dismiss his lawyers after the government linked him with Ghalib "Commander Robot" Andang, leader of the Abu Sayyaf band that snatched 21 mostly foreign tourists from an island resort off Sabah in April 2000.

Misuari’s lawyer Ely Pamatong told dzMM radio the government was bent on trying "to destroy Governor Misuari" when prosecutors started portraying him as a partner of Andang.

Just like ousted President Joseph Estrada, Misuari has lost trust in the judicial system and will let go of his defense team as soon as his trial for rebellion starts in a newly built courthouse near his bungalow prison at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Pamatong said.

"By making Misuari a cohort of Commander Robot, his trial has become an instrument of destruction rather than justice," Pamatong averred.

"If former President Joseph Estrada lost confidence in the judicial system, there will be more reason for (Misuari) not to participate in the proceedings," he said.

Pamatong said Misuari loyalists in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also want their leader to boycott the trial which runs counter to their objective of an independent state in Mindanao.

"(Misuari) will boycott (the court proceedings) 99.9 percent," he said. – Perseus Echeminad