Attempt to arrest Misuari ‘an act of war’

MANILA, Philippines - Any attempt of the police and military to arrest fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari could be considered “an act of war” after the rebel leader’s declaration of independence for the Bangsamoro Republik now pending before the United Nations.

Absalom Cerveza, MNLF spokesman, said the petition for the declaration of independence for the Bangsamoro was submitted to the UN committee on decolonization.

He claimed that the petition in the UN would render any criminal case filed against Misuari and other MNLF leaders as “war crimes” under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Misuari was reacting to the statement of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col Ramon Zagala urging Misuari to surrender and face the rebellion case filed against him at the Zamboanga City regional trial court.

“With the declaration of independence the rebellion case filed against Misuari and other MNLF members in my opinion is actually an act of war against another state,” Cerveza said.

He said the same applies to MNLF members now detained in Taguig on rebellion charges.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a case for rebellion against Misuari, Habier Malik and 60 others in connection with the bloody siege of Zamboanga City on Sept. 9, 2013.

The Supreme Court had approved the transfer to the Taguig RTC of the trial of Misuari and his followers who had stormed Zamboanga City to seize city hall.

Misuari had earlier declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik on Aug. 12, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu.

During the three-week Zamboanga siege, some 190 MNLF rebels were killed while 292 other suspects were either captured or have surrendered. – With Alexis Romero