ARMM PNP intensifies evidence gathering vs Misuari's declaration of independence

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): ARMM PNP intensifies evidence gathering vs Misuari's declaration of independence

Police authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Thursday said they are still gathering evidence in preparation for the filing of charges against Nur Misuari, leader of a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for declaring Mindanao independence.

Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, police regional director for ARMM, said the Sulu police provincial office is in the process of gathering documentary and affidavits of those who witnessed Misuari's act.

Spearheading the evidence gathering are the Sulu police provincial office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Misuari was said to have declared the establishment of independence of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan and Sabah, Malaysia which he called Mindanao Republik with Davao City as seat of power.

Mindanao officials laughed off Misuari's act as next to impossible but police are taking it seriously for the act was seditious.

Misuari, founding chair of the MNLF, has publicly criticized the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following the signing of Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

He claimed the FAB was a clear violation of the 1996 final peace agreement between the MNLF and Manila.

He repeatedly lamented that the government was remiss in its duty of fulfilling the peace agreement to the letter and spirit, an allegation repeatedly denied by Malacanang.

Former Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema, chair of the bigger faction of the MNLF, has downplayed Misuari's act stressing the MNLF under his leadership remained loyal to the 1996 peace accord.

Manila, the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Conference which brokered the talks are now holding a tripartite conference aimed at reviewing the provisions of the accord.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=557814