AFP keeping operations on Misuari whereabouts secret

MANILA, Philippines - The military is keeping under utmost secrecy its ongoing operation against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and his top lieutenant Habier Malik amid several reports that they are no longer hiding in Sulu.

“Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are on the ground in areas where he (Misuari) may possibly be – not necessary in Sulu but all areas of concern. Let’s allow our units on the ground to do their job. We will update you later,” AFP public information chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

Misuari, Malik and several other MNLF leaders are accused of masterminding the three-week siege in Zamboanga City last month that left hundreds of people dead and thousands wounded and homeless.

The Zamboanga court ordered their arrest on charges of rebellion and crimes against international humanitarian law.

There were reports that Misuari and Malik were sighted in Sulu surrounded by hundreds of heavily armed followers.

But sources revealed Misuari and Malik, along with other MNLF leaders, have already left Sulu and went into hiding elsewhere to evade arrest.

There were reports that Misuari and Malik have already slipped out to Indonesia or Malaysia.

“It is too early to be giving updates while (troops) are still working. We have units supporting the Philippine National Police (PNP) and they’re already working. Let’s allow them to do their job at the moment,” Zagala said.

Misuari was in Sulu while his armed followers led by Malik attacked Zamboanga City on Sept. 9.

Misuari disappeared from public view shortly before the fighting broke out in Zamboanga City.

Misuari declared independence from the Philippine government in protest over the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying any agreement with the rival group would sideline the MNLF and the 1996 peace agreement.  

Sources said Malik, after his men were severely beaten by government troops during the three weeks of fighting, managed to escape to Sulu along with his loyal followers.

Misuari, on the other hand, stayed put in Sulu awaiting developments.

“They are already out of Sulu,” a source said, referring to Misuari, Malik and several MNLF personalities.

The military said they are conducting forensic tests to determine if Malik was among those killed during the fighting with government troops.

MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla, however, said they will present a “proof of life” that Malik is alive.

Fontanilla though did not reveal the whereabouts of Misuari but sources said the fugitive MNLF leader is still in Mindanao preparing his message before the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting next month.

Misuari has already submitted an initial report to the OIC on the outbreak of hostilities in Zamboanga, the source added.

The MNLF headed by Misuari is recognized by the OIC as the sole representative of the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao. Misuari has been granted permanent observer status in the 57-member Islamic body.

As a permanent observer, Misuari has the privilege to address the plenary session of the OIC.

The source added Misuari’s wife and their two children already left the country for the Middle East.

The government said they are discussing the amount of bounty to be put up for the capture of Misuari.

The Zamboanga City government, however, said they could not raise enough cash to contribute to the reward bounty, pointing out the financial difficulty of addressing the needs of the thousands of evacuees as well as the rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by the rebels.

Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, however, called on the Department of Justice to transfer the venue of the hearing of the case against the MNLF leaders to any court in Metro Manila for security reasons.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero filed a resolution commending the security forces involved in dislodging the MNLF rebels from Zamboanga City.

In Senate Resolution 283, Escudero commended the police and soldiers who gallantly battled the MNLF who laid siege on Zamboanga City for three weeks in an attempt to establish an independent state.

“The utmost display of dedication and commitment of the AFP and PNP to subdue the enemies of the State despite imminent danger and loss of lives cannot be overstated. They squarely fought the enemies with bravery and gallantry without any reservations. The city is now recapturing its peace and order because of these brave men in uniform,” Escudero said in his resolution. – With Perseus Echeminada, Roel Pareño, Marvin Sy