Nur Misuari, who is wanted for rebellion and crimes against humanity for allegedly plotting the Zamboanga siege in 2013, rallies his supporters to mark the first year anniversary of the MNLF's 'declaration of independence'
Fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding leader Nur Misuari recently resurfaced in a Sulu town to gather his supporters for the first anniversary of the declaration of the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik (UFSBR), the MNLF spokesman confirmed on Wednesday, August 27.
MNLF spokesman and legal counsel Emmanuel Fontanilla confirmed the gathering of rebels and supporters attended by Misuari when asked about a photo of Misuari in full battle gear, addressing MNLF members.
"Yes, the photo is genuine. It happened on August 12, in Sulu," Fontanilla said.
In an editorial published on its official website
on August 14, the MNLF mentioned the event and showed a photo of Misuari
attending it.
The gathering
took place a year after the MNLF faction of Misuari massed up in key cities in
Mindanao in August 2013 to declare an "independent" Bangsamoro Republic
The caption of
the photo read: "Prof. Dr. Nur Misuari, Chairman of the Central Committee,
Founding Leader of the MNLF and Commander-in-Chief of the Bangsamoro Armed
Forces called for the unity of all Bangsamoro freedom fighters in pursuit of
the complete independence and national self-determination of the Bangsamoro
People from Philippine colonialism."
Fontanilla
refused to identify the exact location of the gathering for "security
reasons" because Misuari has a standing arrest warrant for allegedly
plotting the Zamboanga siege that dragged for 20 days.
Misuari and his
followers face rebellion charges of rebellion
and crimes against humanity in connection with the 2013 Zamboanga
siege, where over 200 people were killed, including 12 civilians, and thousands
displaced.
Fontanilla said
similar gatherings were also held in MNLF communities to commemorate the siege,
including in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. "Gatherings were held in almost all
MNLF bases in Mindanao ," Fontanilla said.
He said the MNLF
is hoping that with the first public appearance of Misuari since he went into
hiding, the government would drop the charges and the arrest warrant so that
the issues are addressed peacefully.
"We have
already abdicated the use of violence and we want to resolve this
peacefully," Fontanilla said.
The MNLF signed a
peace agreement with the Ramos administration, but the group felt that the
Aquino administration neglected them in favor of a rival rebel group, the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/67405-misuari-surfaces-sulu
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