Roxas, Gazmin say arrest of Misuari difficult

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Authorities are having a hard time arresting Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari, officials have admitted.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said police and military forces could not arrest Misuari because he is being protected by his supporters.

 “It is hard to locate Mr. Misuari because his hideout is enclosed in an area by his supporters or those helping him,” Roxas said during his visit here on Monday.

Military and police officials believe the fugitive is hiding with his armed followers in the jungles of Sulu.

Misuari was charged with rebellion, genocide and other crimes against humanity for the September 2013 siege of this city that left more than 200 people dead.

There are proposals in Congress to provide Misuari with a safe conduct pass to allow him to be a resource person in the deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Zamboanga City first district Rep. Celso Lobregat objected to the proposal, saying authorities have given assurance that ”justice would be served.”

“The MNLF should be invited but not Nur Misuari because he has a warrant of arrest…this is an insult to the people of Zamboanga,” Lobregat said.

Roxas said they would refer the case to the Department of Justice if there would be requests to suspend the arrest warrant for Misuari.