PNoy: Govt studying bounty for Misuari

From GMA News (Oct 3): PNoy: Govt studying bounty for Misuari

The government is studying the possibility of offering a bounty for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari for his alleged involvement in the attack on Zamboanga, President Benigno Aquino III said.

"My legal counsels are studying the matter clearly para sure tayo na we are not violating any law," Aquino told reporters during an interview on Wednesday.

He explained that one of the things they are considering is that no case has yet to be filed against Misuari in connection with the Zamboanga attack so there is no warrant of arrest yet.

But he said Justice Secretary Leila De Lima will be going to Zamboanga City to check on the work of state prosecutors, who are now interviewing all the hostages and witnesses.

"It is still an ongoing work.  Their statements are being collated; the evidence is being collected and at the end of the day, we hope to file a very strong case against all of these people involved," he said.

As for the situation in the city, Aquino said that government forces are still "ferreting out some stragglers."

"But the AFP has already turned over to the PNP ‘yung actual clearing, ‘yun bang checking of the communities para siguradong walang booby traps, walang munitions na nandoon; make sure that it is safe for the residents to be able to come back there," he said.

However, the President said they are "not ready yet to make a positive statement" regarding the status of MNLF Commander Habier Malik.

"There are tests that are being conducted, amongst them ‘yung DNA testing, to determine precisely his status. But, the Secretary of National Defense yesterday emphasized whether he is alive or not, whether he has escaped or not, ‘yung the force that he managed to lead in Zamboanga City is a force that no longer exists," he said.

Aside from this, he said they are moving the captured MNLF rebels to another detention facility to "enhance the feeling of order or security in Zamboanga City."

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/329208/news/nation/pnoy-govt-studying-bounty-for-misuari