ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 20 Jan) Jailed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari on Friday ordered his followers in Jolo island in the southern Philippines to maintain peace in the entire duration of the two-week joint RP-US Balikatan exercise.
“I hereby issue this directive to all MNLF leaders to maintain peace and security in the island of Sulu in the entire duration of Balikatan Humanitarian Program to be conducted in the said Bangsamoro island from February 6 to March 6, 2006.
For your information, the Balikatan will be non-military in character, as it will focus mainly, solely on the conduct of Medical and Engineering civic actions for the benefit of our people.
Accordingly, all MNLF forces should be advised to stay put in their camps to avoid untoward incidents," Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges, said in a statement released by the government.
It said Misuari issued the directive after a meeting with Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bin Dolorfino, deputy commander of the Southern Command, in his prison cell in Sta. Rosa town in Laguna province on Wednesday.
"The MNLF leader also expressed support for ongoing peace and development efforts in Sulu," the statement said, adding, that Misuari's directive and expression of support would help strengthen ongoing efforts against criminality in all areas of Mindanao.
The Balikatan Humanitarian Program will be conducted in Jolo island from February 6 to March 6, 2006. Balikatan, which means shoulder-to-shoulder, is the codename for the upcoming training exercise in Jolo.
A smaller joint RP-US anti-terror training exercise is ongoing in Carmen town in Maguindanao province.
The statement said Dolorfino will personally deliver Misuari’s letter to top MNLF leaders in Jolo -- Utuh Khaid Ajibon; Ustadz Habir Malik, Radji Julhambre, Ustadz Bashir Jailani, Abdul-Jabbar Jialil Narra, Almujaihid Biao, Barat Daya, and all other political, religious and military leaders of the former rebel group.
Misuari, who later became governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, led a failed rebellion in Jolo Island in 2001 ahead of new elections in the ARMM, and fled to Malaysia where he was arrested and deported back home and jailed.
Many Muslim leaders in Mindanao have asked President Gloria Arroyo to pardon and free Misuari for humanitarian reason.
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