Cops blow up Nur's house; MNLF leader missing

From the Philippine Star (Oct 4): Cops blow up Nur's house; MNLF leader missing

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari was not found in his house in Zamboanga City after police blasted it with exposives Friday morning.

Police are conducting a manhunt for the rebel leader who faces rebellion charges for allegedly orchestrating an attack on coastal villages in Zamboanga, leading to a 20-day standoff with government forces last month.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Western Mindanao police spokesman, said they served a search warrant on Misuari's house in Barangay San Roque.

Huesca said troops decided to use explosives on the house when no one responded to them.  He declined to  elaborate.

"I cannot elaborate for security reasons," he said in a radio interview.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 9 had said Misuari and at least 80 of his followers including commander Habier Malik violated International Humanitarian Law for the Zamboanga City siege which started September 9.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declared the end of the standoff last September 28 as the armed forces continue clearing the areas of hidden explosives.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/10/04/1241433/cops-blow-nurs-house-mnlf-leader-missing