Misuari family can occupy house in San Roque, but...

From the Zamboanga Today (Sep 5): Misuari family can occupy house in San Roque, but...

Zamboanga City’s police chief has said the family, including the wife and relatives of fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari, will be allowed to occupy their residence in Barangay San Roque.

But Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, director of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), made clear that anyone who enters the property of Misuari will be invited for investigation or questioning.

Casimiro issued the statement on Monday after he was asked on his policy towards the house of Misuari, who has a standing warrant of arrest for rebellion and violation of the international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity.

He said they will not deny entry to Misuari’s relatives or family into their residence in Barangay San Roque. “They can occupy their property, if they have warrant of arrest, they will be held or invited for questioning and interview.”

“They have the right to enter their property. They can occupy that residence. If there are no warrant of arrest, then it’s their right to occupy their property. But they will be invited to the police station  to shed light why they are in the area,” Casimiro reiterated.

Casimiro added that as of now, the house remains the property of Misuari, unless it’s included or attached in the charges against Misuari and ruled by court in favor of the government it will be taken over by the authorities.

To recall, government security forces raided Misuari’s house in San Roque after a local court issued a search warrant sometime in October 4, 2013.

The MNLF chieftain’s arrest warrant is in connection with the Zamboanga City siege staged by his followers that displaced more than 120,000 civilians, left nearly 200 people dead, and scores wounded last September.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, then spokesman for the Zamboanga Peninsula Police, said some evidences including explosives, bomb components, firearms, and vital documents were found and seized inside Misuari’s property.

Authorities said the documents seized during the raid were enough to link Misuari to the Sept. 9 attack in Zamboanga City that led to an almost three-week standoff and left more than 200 people dead, and tens of thousands villagers fled their home.

The pieces of evidence found during the raid had been turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

But a certain Emmanuel Fontanilla, who had claimed MNLF spokesman, said the raid on the residence of Misuari was illegal, citing the existing final peace agreement between the MNLF and the government.

The self proclaimed MNLF spokesman also questioned the manner in which the raid was conducted, noting that they were not informed about the warrant and that the house was empty.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/18479-misuari-family-can-occupy-house-in-san-roque-but.html