ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 15 Dec) – The Philippine government said it had no hand on the decision of detained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebel leader Nur Misuari to run for governor in Jolo island in next year’s polls.
Misuari was allowed to return to his hometown Jolo on Thursday and registered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
A local court granted Misuari permission to register in Jolo island, about 950 km south of Manila. "He is running for governor (in) next year's elections," Jamasali Abdurahman, an aide of Misuari, said.
Secy. Jesus Dureza, Presidential peace adviser, facilitated Misuari’s trip to Jolo, but he was quick to say that the government had no hand about the political plan of the former rebel leader.
"We are not privy to or involved in Chairman Misuari’s future political plans. Our participation was only to uphold and ensure the exercise of his right to suffrage,” Dureza said.
He said Misuari previously requested to register at the COMELEC central office in Manila, but this had been turned down by poll officials, saying, he should register instead in Jolo where he resides.
Some supporters of the MNLF chieftain said the government could be behind Misuari's political ambition to influence or persuade Muslims to support President Gloria Arroyo in Jolo, a known opposition stronghold.
Authorities did not allow Misuari to speak to reporters and government escorts prevented journalists from interviewing him. Security was tight in Zamboanga and Jolo during Misuari’s brief stay.
Although Misuari has still a few hundred supporters in Jolo, his popularity is fast diminishing among the locals. They said Misuari failed to bring developments on the island and uplift the poor living standards of Muslims in Mindanao when he was governor of the five-province Muslim autonomous region.
Among the most prominent politician also running for governor in Jolo island is the influential Abdusakur Tan, who was the island's previous congressman and governor. It was unknown whether the incumbent governor, businessman Benjamin Loong, would seek reelection.
Misuari also returned Thursday in Manila, where he is facing rebellion charges after a failed MNLF uprising on Jolo island and Zamboanga City in 2001.
He fled to Malaysia in 2001 but was arrested and deported back to the Philippines.
The government accused Misuari of allegedly masterminding the attacks in Jolo and Zamboanga, but the former Libyan firebrand had repeatedly denied the accusations.
Misuari signed a peace agreement with Manila on Sept. 2, 1996, but many rebels were disgruntled with the accord and accused the Arroyo government of reneging on the peace deal and for failing to uplift the living standards of Muslims in the strife-torn Mindanao island. (Mindanao Examiner)
Misuari was allowed to return to his hometown Jolo on Thursday and registered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
A local court granted Misuari permission to register in Jolo island, about 950 km south of Manila. "He is running for governor (in) next year's elections," Jamasali Abdurahman, an aide of Misuari, said.
Secy. Jesus Dureza, Presidential peace adviser, facilitated Misuari’s trip to Jolo, but he was quick to say that the government had no hand about the political plan of the former rebel leader.
"We are not privy to or involved in Chairman Misuari’s future political plans. Our participation was only to uphold and ensure the exercise of his right to suffrage,” Dureza said.
He said Misuari previously requested to register at the COMELEC central office in Manila, but this had been turned down by poll officials, saying, he should register instead in Jolo where he resides.
Some supporters of the MNLF chieftain said the government could be behind Misuari's political ambition to influence or persuade Muslims to support President Gloria Arroyo in Jolo, a known opposition stronghold.
Authorities did not allow Misuari to speak to reporters and government escorts prevented journalists from interviewing him. Security was tight in Zamboanga and Jolo during Misuari’s brief stay.
Although Misuari has still a few hundred supporters in Jolo, his popularity is fast diminishing among the locals. They said Misuari failed to bring developments on the island and uplift the poor living standards of Muslims in Mindanao when he was governor of the five-province Muslim autonomous region.
Among the most prominent politician also running for governor in Jolo island is the influential Abdusakur Tan, who was the island's previous congressman and governor. It was unknown whether the incumbent governor, businessman Benjamin Loong, would seek reelection.
Misuari also returned Thursday in Manila, where he is facing rebellion charges after a failed MNLF uprising on Jolo island and Zamboanga City in 2001.
He fled to Malaysia in 2001 but was arrested and deported back to the Philippines.
The government accused Misuari of allegedly masterminding the attacks in Jolo and Zamboanga, but the former Libyan firebrand had repeatedly denied the accusations.
Misuari signed a peace agreement with Manila on Sept. 2, 1996, but many rebels were disgruntled with the accord and accused the Arroyo government of reneging on the peace deal and for failing to uplift the living standards of Muslims in the strife-torn Mindanao island. (Mindanao Examiner)
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