Mar, Gazmin admit it's difficult to arrest Nur Misuari

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Senior security advisers of President Aquino have admitted that authorities are having a very hard time arresting Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) founding chairman Nur Misuari, who is facing various charges for the bloody Zamboanga City siege last year.

“There have been on going operations conducted by the police, However, it was hard to locate Mr. Misuari because his hideout is enclosed in an area by his large supporters or those helping him,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said during his visit here on Monday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said operations have been on going to locate the exact location of Misuari.

“Ang problema natin kasi malaki ang kanyang grupo, marami ang tumutulong na itatago siya,” Gazmin said.

The two officials declined to provide more details of the possible hiding place of Misuari.

Earlier reports said that the rebel leader could be hiding in the jungles of Sulu, with the protection of his armed followers.

Misuari is facing charges of rebellion and violation of the Philippine’s International Humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity for allegedly masterminding the September 2013 siege that left more than 200 people killed and at least 120,000 people displaced.

There are proposals in Congress to provide a safe conduct pass to Misuari so the rebel leader can join the deliberations for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Zamboanga City 1st district Representative Celso Lobregat has expressed his opposition to the proposal made by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also proposed to invite former Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Ameril Umbra Kato, who founded the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“I also said the MNLF should be invited but not Nur Misuari because he has warrant of arrest and not Umbra Kato because they have been branded as terrorist group. It was almost put into vote and I said if you put this into vote I will not participate because this is an insult to the people of Zamboanga,” Lobregat said.