From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 8): Misuari on his way to West Africa
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari is now on his way to Africa to attend the gathering of the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
This was revealed to the Manila Bulletin by Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesperson, in a phone interview Sunday morning, December 8.
“The reports that the chairman is still in the country is false, the fact is he is already abroad and on his way to Africa for that meeting”, Fontanilla told the Manila Bulletin.
Fontanilla said that Misuari was escorted by his trusted man Habier Malik when they went out of the country.
“But Malik returned here. He will not participate in the meeting”, Fontanilla added.
Misuari slipped out of the country via “traditional passage”, Fontanilla said but refused to give further details as to when did Misuari went out of the country and what route did he pass through.
Fontanilla said that Misuari is not bothered by the warrant of arrest issued against his person as it is “immaterial”.
“I would like to reiterate that the warrant is illegal and has no basis. The MNLF is a party to the existing agreement with the government of the Philippines”, he clarified.
Unilateral action by a party to an agreement is not allowed, including the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Fontanilla stressed.
He added that the illegality of the issued warrant against the MNLF chairman is best understood by the international community based on the provisions of international law.
The incident in Zamboanga will be on top of Misuari’s agenda in the meeting, Fontanilla said.
The MNLF will submit a report on the human rights violations committed by the government of the Philippines in handling the crisis in Zamboanga, including the alleged torture of MNLF members.
Earlier this month, Misuari was officially invited by the OIC to attend its 40th session in the Republic of Guinea in Western Africa.
http://www.mb.com.ph/misuarion-on-his-way-to-west-africa/
The purported MNLF spokesperson, Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, misled and lied to the media so much during the recent siege of Zamboanga that it is extremely difficult to take anything he says seriously.
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