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Sunday, January 27, 2008
Misuari to be exiled in Libya: MILF
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari will reportedly be exiled in Libya, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said in a report on its website, www.luwaran.com.
In the said report, MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal called the exile "an unfortunate development."
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"This is a virtual imprisonment and a harsh punishment," Iqbal said. He clarified though that he does not mean to say Libya as an undesirable place.
Igbal said: "Libya is a wonderful country to live in and its great leader Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi was one of the first Muslim leaders who helped the Moros from the verge of extinction in 1970s," he said.
It was learned that the Arroyo government, instead of deciding on the rebellion charges against Misuari with finality, will exile Misuari to Libya with all or most of his political and civil rights stripped including the freedom to go home to his homeland.
Iqbal called the government's decision as unfair, saying that compared to former President Joseph Estrada, who was accused and found guilty of plunder, Misuari has committed lesser crime and should have been freed ahead of Estrada.
Efforts to reach presidential adviser on the peace process Secretary Jesus Dureza for confirmation was futile as of this writing Saturday.
On July 9, 2007, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Winlove Dumayas allowed jailed Misuari to attend a tripartite meeting in Saudi Arabia, which will assess the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the Philippine government and MNLF.
The MNLF accused the government "of failing to implement key provisions of the pact, particularly those pertaining to the development of conflict areas in the southern region of Mindanao."
Misuari, however, failed to leave the country for failure to present a "sovereign guarantee" to return from the Saudi government.
On December 20, 2007, Judge Dumayas denied Misuari's petition for bail, as he will remain under house arrest in New Manila, Quezon City. The court, however, granted the bail petition of Misuari's seven co-accused at P100,000 each. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex) For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (January 27, 2008 issue)
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