DAVAO CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 08 Feb) Jailed former rebel leader Nur Misuari on Wednesday appealed anew to his followers to support the joint military drills between the Philippines and the United States in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, his spokesman said.
Misuari, chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), is undergoing a battery of medical examination and treatment at the St. Luke hospital in Quezon City after complaining of chest pains.
"Brother Nur is reiterating his appeal to tens of thousands of MNLF followers to support the joint RP-US training and the peaceful undertakings of the Arroyo government in Sulu," Jamasali Abdurahman told the Zamboanga Journal.
Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges after a failed uprising in Jolo island in 2001, earlier ordered MNLF forces to stay away from military areas where the training, dubbed as Balikatan 2006, will be held next week.
A court granted Misuari 10 days medical pass together with his close associate Abuhari Usman January 24, but Abdurahman said the 65-year old Misuari is likely to stay longer because of his condition.
"His doctors say more tests are needed to determine his illness, but Brother Nur is doing fine and is happy that the government allowed his to go to hospital," Abrurahman said.
He said even the 68-year old Usman, Misuari's spiritual adviser, is also staying longer because he would have to undergo an important operation in St. Luke hospital. He did not elaborate.
Missouri has been asking the government since last year to grant him temporary freedom so he can have a complete medical examination and treatment.
Misuari, chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), is undergoing a battery of medical examination and treatment at the St. Luke hospital in Quezon City after complaining of chest pains.
"Brother Nur is reiterating his appeal to tens of thousands of MNLF followers to support the joint RP-US training and the peaceful undertakings of the Arroyo government in Sulu," Jamasali Abdurahman told the Zamboanga Journal.
Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges after a failed uprising in Jolo island in 2001, earlier ordered MNLF forces to stay away from military areas where the training, dubbed as Balikatan 2006, will be held next week.
A court granted Misuari 10 days medical pass together with his close associate Abuhari Usman January 24, but Abdurahman said the 65-year old Misuari is likely to stay longer because of his condition.
"His doctors say more tests are needed to determine his illness, but Brother Nur is doing fine and is happy that the government allowed his to go to hospital," Abrurahman said.
He said even the 68-year old Usman, Misuari's spiritual adviser, is also staying longer because he would have to undergo an important operation in St. Luke hospital. He did not elaborate.
Missouri has been asking the government since last year to grant him temporary freedom so he can have a complete medical examination and treatment.
He had complained of occasional pain in his abdomen and chest, and erratic blood pressure. Misuari was also asking the Department of Justice to bring his trial to Mindanao, instead of holding him in Laguna.
He was almost granted temporary liberty last year, but other Misuari's aides who are also detained want to take a mass leave for medical treatment along with the former rebel chieftain.
Other senior MNLF leaders in Mindanao have asked the President to permanently free Misuari, saying, he had suffered long enough and incarcerated without due process.
Even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest separatist rebel group negotiating peace with Manila, sought Misuari's unconditional release.
Speaker Hatimil Hassan of the Muslim autonomous region also appealed to President Arroyo to free Misuari for humanitarian reason, adding, the former rebel leader can help in the government's peace process and reconcile the Muslims in Mindanao.
State prosecutors said the continued incarceration of Misuari's group is justified because hearing on their petition for bail is still pending in court, but under Philippine penal law, rebellion is considered a heinous crime.
Abdurahman said Misuari's lawyers filed a motion on Tuesday reiterating a two-year motion for the former rebel leader to post bail.
The MNLF, under Misuari, signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996, ending almost three decades of bloody fighting in the south.
He was almost granted temporary liberty last year, but other Misuari's aides who are also detained want to take a mass leave for medical treatment along with the former rebel chieftain.
Other senior MNLF leaders in Mindanao have asked the President to permanently free Misuari, saying, he had suffered long enough and incarcerated without due process.
Even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest separatist rebel group negotiating peace with Manila, sought Misuari's unconditional release.
Speaker Hatimil Hassan of the Muslim autonomous region also appealed to President Arroyo to free Misuari for humanitarian reason, adding, the former rebel leader can help in the government's peace process and reconcile the Muslims in Mindanao.
State prosecutors said the continued incarceration of Misuari's group is justified because hearing on their petition for bail is still pending in court, but under Philippine penal law, rebellion is considered a heinous crime.
Abdurahman said Misuari's lawyers filed a motion on Tuesday reiterating a two-year motion for the former rebel leader to post bail.
The MNLF, under Misuari, signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996, ending almost three decades of bloody fighting in the south.
He later became governor of the four-province Muslim autonomous region, but many MNLF members were not satisfied with the accord and accused the government of failing to provide them livelihood and improve their standard of living.
Misuari later accused the government of reneging on its promise to help develop war-torn areas in Mindanao and led a failed rebellion in Jolo island that coincided with the planned elections in the autonomous region that would eventually put him out of the race.
The fighting on the island left dozens of people dead and wounded and spread to Zamboanga City where Misuari's loyal soldiers held hostage more than 100 people, triggering three days of fierce fighting that killed many rebels and civilians. Misuari then fled to Sabah, but was arrested and deported to the Philippines and jailed.
Last month, the government also allowed Misuari to attend prayers during the Eid'l Adha celebration in the Blue Mosque in Taguig City after the Makati Regional Trial Court gave him permission.
Misuari later accused the government of reneging on its promise to help develop war-torn areas in Mindanao and led a failed rebellion in Jolo island that coincided with the planned elections in the autonomous region that would eventually put him out of the race.
The fighting on the island left dozens of people dead and wounded and spread to Zamboanga City where Misuari's loyal soldiers held hostage more than 100 people, triggering three days of fierce fighting that killed many rebels and civilians. Misuari then fled to Sabah, but was arrested and deported to the Philippines and jailed.
Last month, the government also allowed Misuari to attend prayers during the Eid'l Adha celebration in the Blue Mosque in Taguig City after the Makati Regional Trial Court gave him permission.
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