Misuari hopeful he will be released before OIC meet

A lawyer for former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Nur Misuari is hoping that the latter will be released from detention to enable him to attend the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Saudi Arabia on July 19.

In an interview after the continuation of the preliminary investigation conducted by prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) headed by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Severino Gana, Misuari’s lawyer Dalidi Sundan said his client is "very influential" in Saudi Arabia.

Misuari was placed under house arrest in Quezon City after he was released from the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City where he underwent medical treatment.

Sundan said Misuari "could help the Philippine government upgrade its status from observer to permanent member of the OIC because he is an influential person in Saudi Arabia," Sundan said.

He added that the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) should join hands in working for the upgrading of the Philippines’ permanent membership status in OIC.

"We are hoping that he (Misuari) will be released before July 19 so that he could attend the OIC meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 19," Sundan said.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Misuari’s other lawyer, Arthur Lim, read a portion of the affidavit of the three witnesses of the government stating that Misuari had nothing to do with the Nov. 19, 2001 uprising of MNLF members in Mindanao.

"It is a statement that would clarify that chairman Misuari never had any hand in the conflict on Nov. 19, 2001," Lim said.

Lim also junked the suggestion made earlier by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez that Misuari plead guilty to the rebellion charges filed against him so that he could receive government amnesty.

"There is no need to do that because he is not guilty of anything," Lim said.

Sundan agreed with Lim, saying that the affidavit of the government’s three witnesses bolstered Misuari’s claims that he was not guilty of rebellion.

The government lawyers were not present at yesterday’s proceedings.

"It appears that the government is no longer interested. It is a political crime. It is a discretion of the government to release him (Misuari). It is an indication of our stand that there is no probable cause against Gov. Misuari," Sundan said.

He said the government may also have realized that Misuari could help establish peace and order in Mindanao.

Misuari was arrested and charged with rebellion in connection with his alleged participation in the 2001 uprising in Mindanao as well as for perpetuating several attacks on key military command posts.

The attack made by Misuari’s group was reportedly intended to disrupt the 2001 elections in the ARMM, where Misuari’s gubernatorial post was at stake. — Jose Rodel Clapano