Nur Misuari still in PH, says MNLF official

From ABS-CBN (Dec 7): Nur Misuari still in PH, says MNLF official

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari is still in the Philippines, according to the chairman of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council.

Habib Hashim said he has recently talked to Misuari's personal aide, who confirmed that the MNLF chairman has not fled the country and is just hiding from police authorities.

He said there is no truth to reports that Misuari has already left the Philippines before charges were filed against him by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the September siege in Zamboanga City.

Hashim said Misuari has expressed interest to attend the Organization of Islamic Conference in Guinea on December 9 to 11 to voice out his thoughts on the Zamboanga crisis.

However, Misuari has been placed on the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) lookout bulletin after the DOJ filed rebellion charges and charges for violations of international humanitarian laws against him, MNLF commander Habier Malik, and 63 others last October.

Misuari and Malik, as well as Bas Arki and Assamin Hussin, have pending warrants of arrest and are barred from leaving the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Hashim warned that if the tripartite review of the implementation of the 1996 final peace agreement will still not go well, the nearly three-week firefight between MNLF rebels and government troops in Zamboanga City may happen again.

He clarified, however, that Misuari has yet to confirm if they will again attack the city.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/07/13/nur-misuari-still-ph-says-mnlf-official