The Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation on
Wednesday accused the government of using a ‘divide and rule tactic’ in its bid
to unseat Misuari from the rebel movement.
Misuari spokesman Absalom Cerveza said the tactic emerged following the formation of a new MNLF cluster that would act as representative to the peace negotiations with its rebel faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“The sole purpose of this is to eventually unseat Misuari as chairman of the MNLF because he is facing a case,” Cerveza said.
He disclosed that the new MNLF cluster would be headed by Jimmy Labawan, the former vice chairman under Misuari, who actively took part in previous peace negotiations with the government during the 70s.
Cerveza said the group also include Randy Karon and Pendie Colano and a few others reportedly as MNLF representatives to the peace negotiations with the government in local and international engagement.
“The government planned this because they think Misuari will not be in the position to negotiate because of the case that he would be facing, that’s why they formed a new group,” Cerveza said.
“The new cluster will be coming up with a resolution asking the government that they would be the ones who would represent the MNLF in the Jakarta meeting if there would be talks,” he added.
But Cerveza claimed that the MNLF group would have no international bearing to the peace talks since it is Misuari who is the duly-recognized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jakarta, and was the one who brokered the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF culminating in 1976.
“Misuari is the legitimate representative of the Bangsamoro people and the MNLF under Misuari as the permanent observer member to the OIC,” he explained.
Cerveza said that the new MNLF council had been formed by Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles and an unidentified ranking military official.
“What is important is that a military official is involved.” In other words, this is a divide and rule tactics by the military,” he said, referring to the MNLF council of 15 of former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema formed thru a government initiative aimed at unseating Misuari.
“Di ko makuha ibig sabihin ni brothers Jimmy Labawan, Randy Karon, Pendie Colano and others initiating a move “to save MNLF on the dwindling status.” They’re having a meeting in Davao now,” a text message sent to Cerveza yesterday apparently by Misuari trusted followers.
With a new set of MNLF officials, Labawan could take over Misuari’s position as chairman of the organization.
“This is another government bullying attempt to create a confusing scenario in the midst of the Zambonga City impasse,” Cerveza said.
Meanwhile, Ener Misuari, a commander and nephew of Nur Misuari, led 36 MNLF rebels who surrendered before noon Wednesday at the boundary of Barangays Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara in Zamboanga City.
Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II confirmed the surrender of Misuari and his men who he said are now under police custody.
Acting Armed Forces Public Affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said Misuari and his men brought with them 23 high-powered firearms.
Cabunoc said the MNLF ground commander Habier Malik, together with his two buddies “refused” to surrender and had remained holed out in the “constriction” area.
Before the “clearing” operations ensued, the military said Ener Misuari’s group was holding at least 87 hostages.
On Tuesday, Salip Idjal and his remaining seven men surrendered in Sta. Catalina.
Meanwhile, the military and the police have yet to issue official confirmation on reports about the death of Tadsna Ismael whose group held 36 hostages.
Other commanders who had joined Malik in the siege are Commander Usong Uggong and his men who reportedly held 20 hostages and the group of Commander Asamin Hussin, who is holding an undetermined number of hostages.
In a related development, 1Lt. Ian Paquit of the Light Reaction Company (LRC) is already in stable condition in a hospital after he was hit by a bullet in neck during rescue operations Tuesday evening in Sta. Catalina.
Cabunoc said Paquit’s team rescued American James West and his wife, Lucy, both in their 60s, at around 6 p.m.
The military also reported Wednesday, the 17th day of the standoff, four more MNLF fighters were killed while 36 surrendered to military forces conducting clearing operations in Barangays Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina Wednesday morning.
One soldier was killed while another was reported wounded in the firefight.
Troopers responsible for these successful operation are the AFP’s Light Reaction Battalion, Special Forces, 44th Infantry Battalion and the PNP-Special Action Force.
Cabunoc placed the number of remaining MNLF fighters at “five to 10” with MNLF commander Habier Malik included.
He added that the number of reels at the constriction area is now very small.
“They (remaining MNLF fighters) could be in just one building in the constriction area,” he said.
He urged the remaining to peacefully surrender adding that the government will treat them fairly.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/09/26/misuari-aide-accuses-govt-of-oust-nur-bid/
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