DOJ wants arrested MNLF rebels moved to Taguig

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) will move for the transfer of 57 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels arrested for the Zamboanga siege last month to the Camp Bagong Diwa detention center in Taguig City, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

“They better will be secured there at Camp Bagong Diwa where there at other high-profile detainees. But of course they will not be detained together,” De Lima said.

The Supreme Court (SC) approved Thursday the petition to transfer the venue of trial of the MNLF rebels, led by founding chairman Nur Misuari, from the Zamboanga regional trial court to any court in Metro Manila.

Taguig City was selected to hold the trial of rebellion and war crimes charges against the MNLF rebels since Camp Bagong Diwa is located there.

Camp Bagong Diwa, which is under the Philippine National Police, holds a number of high-value detainees, including Abu Sayyaf militants and defendants in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

De Lima shared the concerns of Zamboanga Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco, saying the city would not be the most suitable venue of trial and detention of the MNLF rebels for security reasons.

“The National Prosecution Service agreed that Zamboanga is a dangerous venue (for the trial) because there are serious security concerns. The probability of the jailed rebels being rescued (by their fellow rebels) is higher in their local area,” De Lima said.

De Lima said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology under the Department of the Interior and Local Government should already start preparations for the imminent transfer.

“I’m sure there will be measures that will be undertaken. The relevant units will make sure that this will be done in a smooth and secure manner,” she added.

De Lima clarified the proposed transfer would need the approval of the regional trial court in Taguig that would handle the case through a commitment order.

The DOJ earlier sought the transfer of the cases to Taguig, citing “serious security threats in Zamboanga.” The SC approved the request in session last Thursday.

Charges of rebellion and violations of Republic Act 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity) were filed against Misuari and his men before the Zamboanga City regional trial court (RTC) last Oct. 7.

On Oct. 9, the Zamboanga RTC had issued arrest warrants against Misuari and his commanders.  

The Bureau of Immigration has issued a lookout order against Misuari and his three top commanders.

Immigration officials explained they have been directed to prevent and detain the four MNLF leaders should any of them attempt to pass through airports or seaports going out of the country. 

Hundreds of MNLF fighters occupied parts of Zamboanga City for three weeks since Sept. 9, taking scores of civilian hostages and battling military and police in a bid to declare independence from the government.

The MNLF members were eventually driven out and their hostages freed but more than 116,000 people were forced to flee their homes.  

Thousands of evacuees have no homes to return to since the rebels burned them down during the fighting. – With Roel Pareño, Evelyn Macairan