DOJ rejects suspension of arrest warrants vs Nur, Kato

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has rejected the request of the House of Representatives to move for the suspension of the arrest warrants against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) chief Umbra Kato to allow them to join public hearings on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she finds the proposal of the congressional panel tasked to scrutinize the BBL “not legally defensible.”

“My position is that it is not feasible. We are the prosecutors and we want the warrants implemented immediately,” she said.

De Lima pointed out Misuari or Kato or their defense lawyers should move for the suspension of the arrest warrants – not the DOJ.

But De Lima still expressed reservations on the proposal.

“I don’t know if we already have a precedent on suspension of warrant of arrest. It’s not a simple issue,” she said.

De Lima suggested that getting the side of the MNLF in the review of the draft BBL could be achieved even without the presence of Misuari and Kato.

“There could be other ways for the House committee to get the side of MNLF. Does Nur Misuari really have to appear? Would a representative who will articulate the position of MNLF not suffice?” she asked.

Panel chairman Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said the presence of Misuari and Kato in the congressional hearings would greatly help the lawmakers in fine-tuning the BBL.

He said Misuari specifically could help make the BBL compatible with the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF that was brokered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Rodriguez added they would ask Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to issue safe conduct passes to the two rebel leaders for their travel to and from Manila.

He said they have already invited Misuari and Kato and details are being finalized for their attendance in the congressional hearing.

Rodriguez said Congress would hold a series of public consultations in Mindanao and Sulu to get the pulse of the people in the affected areas.

Misuari and 83 of his followers are facing charges of rebellion and violation of international humanitarian law over the three-week siege in Zamboanga City last year that left hundreds of people killed and thousands homeless.

Kato, on the other hand, is being hunted for the attacks in the villages of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte in 2008 that left over 40 dead and thousands homeless.

Kato led the BIFF as a breakaway group from the MILF. He vowed to pursue all means to derail the peace process between the government and the MILF and establish an independent Islamic state.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama yesterday said they rejected the offer to participate in the congressional hearings on the BBL.       – John Unson

“We cannot join in any peace process that falls short of our bid for an independent Moro state,” Mama said over dxMS in Cotabato City.

“We better keep on fighting the military in the field than engage in any hearing on that draft BBL. That is purely an initiative of the MILF and the government,” Mama said in Filipino.

“We can only tell Congressman Rodriguez thanks for the invitation. None from the BIFF can join the hearings,” he said. – John Unson