Pursue Nur, kiss Mindanao peace goodbye, military warned

From the Daily Tribune (Sep 8): Pursue Nur, kiss Mindanao peace goodbye, military warned

The Moro National Liberation Front is now on a defensive mode in anticipation of military action from the government in serving the arrest warrant issued by a Zamboanga City court against MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman for the MNLF, said peace in Mindanao would be in danger if the government launches military action against Misuari who is wanted for the Zamboanga City siege that happened exactly one year ago today.

“We anticipate that the government will initiate military action, we will be kissing peace goodbye in Mindanao,” Fontanilla told the Tribune.

“We pray that the government will go through the peace agreement and not resort to unilateral action,” he added.

Fontanilla cited recent pronouncements by government officials, particularly in the defense and military establishment, that prompted their concern over an impending military action against the MNLF.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has earlier said the government is careful in assessing how to serve the warrant against Misuari to avoid possible bloodshed in Mindanao.

According to him, government security forces are trying to contain Misuari in an area in Sulu.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are closely coordinating for a joint operation to serve the warrant of arrest.

Gazmin’s pronouncements came following the reported reappearance of Misuari before his supporters last Aug. 12 on the outskirts of Sulu to celebrate the first anniversary of his declaration of the Bangsamoro Republik.

“They are too determined to enforce the warrant... this matter should be discussed in negotiating table in order not to abrogate the agreement, all conclusions of the agreement as to the warrants are unilateral actions defeating bilateral nature of the agreement,” Fontanilla said.

“Yet, the Front is very much ready for defensive actions,” he added.

Fontanilla, however, expressed hopes that the government will take the path of peace in resolving the issue and “avoid the recurrence of the 1972 war which caused thousands of deaths and the possible spreading of war in Luzon.”

The Tribune, quoting informed military sources, earlier reported that arresting Misuari may spark a full-blown war in Mindanao, citing the support the MNLF chairman still enjoys from Muslim elders, particularly in his home province of Sulu.

“Unlike ordinary criminals whom we can easily arrest without the danger of waging a war, capturing Misuari, at this time, would lead to another conflict,” one of the Tribune sources said.

Misuari is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Zamboanga CityRegional Trial Court Branch 13 in connection with the September 2013 siege on Zamboanga City by more than 300 MNLF fighters.

The military, for its part, said it has taken steps to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

“We are making steps to prevent this crisis from happening again in the future,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala yesterday said.

He added the sacrifices made by the soldiers in defending Zamboanga City will never be forgotten.

“The defense of Zamboanga City last year will always remind us of the heroism and sacrifices of our soldiers. They risked their lives to defend the city and save innocent civilians from lawless elements selfishly trying to grab power,” Zagala stressed.

Around 25 soldiers were killed while another 184 were wounded in the successful defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the MNLF led by Misuari.

“Right now he (Misuari) is in hiding and eventually the law will catch-up with him,” Zagala stressed.

“We all witnessed the restraint and focus of our soldiers who successfully rescued the civilians being used as human shields. This manifests the maturity, professionalism, and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law of our soldiers,” he added.

 

And due to this valiant efforts of the AFP, Zamboanga City is now peaceful with its government and citizens engaged in rebuilding efforts.

“Right now Zamboanga City is peaceful and the AFP is in close coordination with its civilian partners in order to ensure the total normalization of the situation in the city,” Zagala said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/pursue-nur-kiss-mindanao-peace-goodbye-military-warned