AFP claims intelligence reports point to Misuari as behind Zambo attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12): AFP claims intelligence reports point to Misuari as behind Zambo attacks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday that reliable intelligence reports reveal that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari is behind the standoff in this city.

“It is the belief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that Nur Misuari is the one behind these attacks,” AFP information officer Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

Zagala issued the statement after Misuari disowned the actions of Habier Malik in leading hundreds of MNLF men in attacking this city.

Hostilities broke out early Monday after Malik and his men landed in the shore of Rio Hondo and nearby barangays virtually turning this city into a ghost town.

“Malik did not act freely on his own, his action is deliberate. They came here at 1 a.m. (Monday) and fully armed,” Zagala added.

Zagala said the group of Malik should not have staged the attack if they want to have a political solution to the problem in Mindanao.

“This is an act of violence, not just to the Armed Forces but to the people of Zamboanga and all the innocent civilians,” he stressed.

Zagala said the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) remain firm “at the moment” in its operation to contain them and “make those responsible answerable.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=565253