Nur's MNLF faction has 3,000 to 5,000 armed fighters

From the Philippine Star (Oct 17): Nur's MNLF faction has 3,000 to 5,000 armed fighters

The Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) faction of Nur Misuari still has up to 5,000 fully armed fighters, majority of them are based in Sulu, a senior security official said Wednesday. “Contrary to claims by Nur Misuari that he has more than 15,000 armed combatants, the most he can put up for now, if he will make to true his threat of launching a war in Mindanao, is 3,000 to 5,000 fighters,” the senior security official said citing results of field monitoring of the military in Mindanao. The MNLF still maintains several camps in key areas in mainland Mindanao -- Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao provinces, Maguindanao, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao Oriental. However, these MNLF enclaves, as per latest field monitoring, have ceased to function as rebel camps and these have been converted into Muslim communities. The military officer said that despite the number of Misuari's followers, the MNLF's founding chairman cannot just deploy combatants because the group is financially broke. “Only an insane MNLF commander will agree to lead his men to the frontline without financial and logistical backing from their leadership,” the official said....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=860505