Navy transports 266 detained MNLF members to Manila

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Philippine Navy (PN) transported under tight security Friday all the detained members of the Nur Misuari faction of the  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) involved in the siege, an official said.

The military, police and the personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) escorted 266 MNLF detainees into the Navy Landing Ship Transport (LST) 550 from the San Ramon Penal Farm (SRPF) on Thursday night.

Twentysix  of the detained MNLF rebels came from the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC), according to a BJMP official.

Col. Andrelino Colina, commander of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), said the transfer  of the MNLF detainees was made in coordination with other law enforcement units, including the BJMP, Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The movement of the detainees was not made public due to security consideration,” Colina said.

According to Colina, they could not discount possibility of sabotage even as they were prepared to thwart such an  attempt.

All the MNLF prisoners at the San Ramon Penal Farm were properly turned over by the BJMP to the military and were all aboard the Navy ship that departed under heavy guards about 8 a.m for Manila.

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño,  Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) director, committed 552 of his police forces with 164 soldiers, 51 navy, and 105 BJMP personnel securing the detainees enroute to Manila.

The  transfer of the detained MNLF members was based on the resolution approved by the Supreme Court (SC) and the regional court here to transfer the rebels to the detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig in Manila.

Meanwhile, tension has slowly eased in this city following the transfer of the detained MNLF rebels, according to the military and police.

However, government forces and local police said security is still heightened in this city to prevent any possible lashback from the sympathizers and supporters of the MNLF under Misuari, the erstwhile leader who remains at large.

Misuari and the detained MNLF members were charged with rebellion and violation of international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity in connection with the September siege.