Zambo gov't to pursue legal battle vs Misuari

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (May 23): Zambo gov't to pursue legal battle vs Misuari

THE City Government of Zamboanga is not backing out in its legal battle against Nur Misuari and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction he leads, in spite of the pronouncement of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte to grant immunity to the Moro leader.

Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, in an interview Monday in his capacity as city caretaker, withheld any comments on Duterte’s statement during the campaign period that he was going to grant Misuari immunity from suit.

“At this point in time, it’s too premature to react on the matter. We will wait until the (incoming) president officially assumes office and make such declaration,” Iturralde said.

As far as the City Government is concerned, Iturralde said, “We stand by our position for justice to take its course.”

“We will fight until justice is served to the people of Zamboanga,” Iturralde declared when asked how long the city will keep its fight.

To recall, the City Government filed rebellion charges and violations of the International Humanitarian Law in court against Misuari and more than 200 of his followers in connection with the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The attack started September 9, 2013 when hundreds of MNLF members loyal to Misuari infiltrated and laid siege to at least five coastal villages of the city.
The siege has displaced more than 100,000 people.

Thousands of them remain in transitory sites until today as rehabilitation of the affected areas.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/05/23/zambo-govt-pursue-legal-battle-vs-misuari-475270