Angry President wants Misuari’s bail revoked

Nur Misuari. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the Justice Department to study the revocation of the bail of Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, and order his re-arrest on rebellion charges, an official said Wednesday.

Misuari’s letter to the Organization of Islamic Conference critical of the government could be considered a violation of his 2008 bail order, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said.

Misuari criticized the Arroyo administration for its alleged failure to fully implement the peace agreement that the MNLF signed with it in 1996, and a source said it made Mrs. Arroyo very angry on Tuesday.

The OIC is hosting a tripartite meeting in Libya, ahead of the June 30 change of administration in the Philippines, to preserve the gains of the peace agreement between Manila and the MNLF.

“The President has instructed the Department of Justice to study the possible revocation of Misuari’s bail,” Mendoza said.

“The recommendation of the National Security Council-Cabinet cluster is to sanction Misuari.”

Mendoza was the chief of the National Police when Malaysia turned over Misuari to Philippine authorities in 2002. He fled to Malaysia in 2001 after allegedly leading an attack on government troops in Sulu, where some 100 people were killed. He was later charged with rebellion.

Misuari’s bail order bars him from engaging in any political activity, or from participating in any action “inimical to the Philippine government” while in a foreign territory.

“He is in Libya now, and he is badmouthing the country,” Mendoza said.

An official described Misuari’s move as “treacherous,” because he handed his letter in Tripoli just as he was about to sign a deal with the Philippine government for the continued implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.

Still, both sides signed the deal and agreed to work on legislative measures to enhance the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the MNLF’s homeland. (Joyce P. Pañares - Manila Standard Today)


Link: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/april/22/news4.isx&d=2010/april/22

Ex-Moro rebel leader acquitted of rebellion charges; seeks elective post in South RP

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / December 2, 2009) – Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari was acquitted Wednesday of leading a rebellion in the southern Philippines.

A lower court ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to link Misuari to the bloody attack on a major military base in Sulu province and the siege in Zamboanga city in 2001.

Several of his followers who were charged along with him were also acquitted.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region, but was eventually removed as leader of the MNLF by the group’s central committee for being incompetent.

The MNLF named Misuari’s lieutenant Muslimin Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as its new chairman up to the present.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu province in an effort to stop the elections, but he failed.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. The government had accused Misuari of allegedly masterminding the attacks to which the former Libyan firebrand repeatedly denied. Misuari spent more than five years under house arrest in Manila.

His other leaders in Sulu, among them Ustadz Habier Malik, are still in hiding after they clashed with security forces in 2007 and held hostage a group of military officers in a failed effort to pressure Manila to free Misuari.

Misuari’s acquittal came a day after he announced that he would run for governor in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region headed by Zaldy Ampatuan, whose brother Andal, is being accused of masterminding the brutal killings of 57 innocent people in Maguindanao province last month.

Misuari is running under the Christian movement group called Jesus Is Lord whose head Eddie Villanueva is also gunning for the presidency. But Misuari’s decision to run under the party of the Christian group shocked former supporters in the largely Muslim province of Sulu.

“We were shocked to learn that Misuari is running under the Jesus is Lord of Eddie Villanueva. How can he get support is he is to campaign under a Christian flag in the Muslim province of Sulu?” one former supporter, Abubakar, asked.

Misuari previously ran twice for governor in Sulu twice, but terribly lost to Benjamin Loong and Dr Sakur Tan the past elections. Although Misuari still has a few hundred supporters in Mindanao, his popularity is fast diminishing among the locals in Sulu. They said Misuari failed to bring developments on the province and uplift the poor living standards of Muslims in Mindanao when he was governor of the autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine soldiers blamed for killings of MNLF gunmen in Palawan province

Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari gestures to his supporters in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines in this photo taken last year. Misuari has blamed the military for the killings of 7 MNLF members in a firefight on an island off Palawan province on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 20, 2009) – Former Muslim rebel chieftain Nur Misuari on Thursday blamed the Philippine military for the killings of seven of his followers in a firefight on an island off Palawan province.

Marines have killed 7 members of the former Muslim rebel group Moro National Liberation Front in a firefight Wednesday on a small island they occupied.

Three others were reportedly killed by soldiers when they tried to escape the security forces sent to liberate civilians allegedly held by MNLF gunmen on Mantagule Island.

The military said MNLF gunmen by Abdullah Abdurajak occupied the island and held hostage dozens of civilians for a still unknown reason. It said the gunmen also extorted money from the villagers.

The hostages were later freed, but the rebels, numbering about five dozens, refused to surrender peacefully and opened fire on soldiers, sparking a fierce firefight. One soldier was also wounded in the fighting.

Many gunmen were also able to escape from the soldiers and are being pursued by the military in Palawan.

Misuari has denied allegations by the military that Abdurajak’s group extorted money or held hostage villagers on the island. “The MNLF is (composed) of a very disciplined soldiers of peace. We are not involved in any shenanigan,” he said, branding the killings as massacre.

He said he tried to convince the military to resolve the crisis peacefully, but security officials did not listen to him.

Misuari said most of the people living on the island are Muslims and relatives of Abdurajak. He blamed Abdurajak’s foes for giving false information to the military about the former MNLF leader.

He said most of those killed by the soldiers were fishermen. The military has demanded the MNLF on the island to surrender and lay down their weapons.

But Misuari said soldiers could kill the MNLF if they lay down their arms.

“If they lay down their arms, the more they will be massacred. Even when they are armed they are also being massacred. So it’s better if they have something in their arms to protect themselves because they are entitled to right of self-defense.”

“The government should not push with their plan to arrest all members of the Abdurajak family. They are innocent and even children are arrested,” he said in a television interview.

Misuari said the arrested children were not combatants. “They should release them quickly,” he told the ANC.

The MNLF, under Misuari, signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 and ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is facing rebellion charges after his followers tried, but failed to occupy a major military base in Sulu province in the southern Philippines and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region.
Misuari fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari is currently out on bail.

The MNLF Central Committee removed Misuari as chairman of the former rebel group and installed Muslimin Sema, the Front’s Secretary-General. But Misuari insisted that he is still the chieftain of the MNLF and accused Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as traitor and so were those who supported Sema. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops liberate Philippine island after firefight with gunmen

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 19, 2009) – Marines have killed 7 members of the former Muslim rebel group called Moro National Liberation Front in a firefight Wednesday on a small island they occupied in Palawan province in western Philippines, the military said.

It said soldiers stormed the island of Matangule off Palawan province and liberated villagers held by former rebels. It was unclear why the gunmen led by MNLF leader Abdullah Abdurajak occupied the island, but the military said the former rebels had held hostage dozens of civilians since Sunday for a still unknown reason.

The hostages were later freed, but the rebels, numbering about five dozens, refused to surrender peacefully and opened fire on soldiers sent to liberate the villagers and a firefight ensued. One soldier was also wounded in the fighting.

The military said two gunmen were also captured during the fighting, but others escaped despite the presence of navy patrol boats around the island, home to a few thousand Muslims, mostly fishermen.

The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 and ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is facing rebellion charges after his followers tried, but failed to occupy a major military base in Sulu province in the southern Philippines and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region.

Misuari fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari is currently out on bail.

The MNLF Central Committee removed Misuari as chairman of the former rebel group and installed Muslimin Sema, the Front’s Secretary-General. But Misuari insisted that he is still the chieftain of the MNLF and accused Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as traitor and so were those who supported Sema.

Last year, Misuari earned the ire of the Malaysian government after he renewed calls of the claims of the Philippines to Sabah. In retaliation, Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, furious over the rumblings from Misuari, has called for stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state. (Mindanao Examiner)

MNLF Members Gather For Summit With Nur Misuari In Mindanao

Some 10,000 members of the Moro National Liberation Front from different parts of Mindanao gathered at the football field of Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines in Davao City on Saturday, March 7, 2009 for their 3rd Grand Summit with MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari. (AKP Images / Ruby Thursday More)

Sayyaf rejects gov't attempt to free Red Cross hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 6, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding hostage three Red Cross workers in the southern Philippines rejected fresh government attempt to negotiate for the safe release of the trio.

Government negotiators led by Nur Misuari, chieftain of the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was attempting to open up talks with the Abu Sayyaf to secure the freedom of the hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf led by Albader Parad, a former MNLF rebel, has previously demanded the pull out of troops in the jungle of Indanan town where they are holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

Parad was interviewed by phone on March 5 by a television network ABS-CBN and he said his group will not negotiate with Misuari and demanded the military to withdraw soldiers from Indanan town.

“They have sent ulama in the past and now Nur Misuari. We will not negotiate unless they pull out the military (in Indanan town),” Parad said.

Notter’s group was kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a water and sanitation project at a prison in Patikul town. Police tagged a dismissed jail guard, Raden Abu, as behind the kidnapping.

Abu handed the trio to the Abu Sayyaf, which reportedly demanded $10 million ransoms for the release of the hostages, who work for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The ICRC said it has not been in direct contact with any of the captives for the past two weeks, but heard Vagni speaking on the phone to a TV reporter.

Vagni said they are all weak because of the condition in the jungle.

“We are all very, very weak because we are living in a very difficult condition. We are here for 50 days (now and) if they can do their best to really do something to free us,” he said in the interview.

The ICRC said it is aware that Misuari went to Sulu to help in the negotiation.

“We hope this is a positive sign. We will not comment any further to avoid saying anything on our side that could jeopardize the safety of our colleagues or the chances of securing their rapid and unconditional release. The ICRC appreciates all genuine efforts from inside and outside the Red Cross to resolve this difficult situation,” said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific.

“We cannot but admire our colleagues' strength and resilience in dealing with this difficult situation. We believe that their health is stable, even though they are suffering from fatigue and stress,” he said.

Manila said it will not pull out troops in Indanan town and demanded the Abu Sayyaf to free the innocent hostages. (Mindanao Examiner)

Convicted priest killer Norberto Manero joins former rebel group MNLF in Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 16, 2009) - A former Filipino militia leader and convicted priest killer Norberto Manero has joined the Moro National Liberation Front in Mindanao.

Rival rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said Manero, who was convicted of killing an Italian missionary Tullio Favali in 1985, was recruited by Nur Misuari, chieftain of the MNLF.

It said Manero once headed the paramilitary force called Ilaga, who fought Moro and communist rebels in the 1970s.

“Former Moro mass murderer and priest killer Norberto Manero was recruited into the Moro National Liberation Front by no less than Chairman Nur Misuari, who sworn him into the group last week in Kabacan, North Cotabato,” the MILF said in a statement.

”Tens of thousands of Moro civilians died in the hands of these state-sponsored Ilaga gangsters forcing mass evacuation of people and abandonment of farmlands and communities.”

The MILF also quoted Manero as saying in a radio interview in Mindanao that he joined the Misuari’s group to promote peace in the troubled region.

“All of us want peace. I want to achieve peace. Since the MNLF works for peace I have decided to join the group of chairman Nur Misuari and (his) Chief of Staff, Major General Rodrigo Daud Fabillon),” Manero told the Bombo Radyo.

The MILF, a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, also said that Misuari tried to revive the MNLF and went on sorties all over Mindanao recruiting not only Muslims, but also indigenous natives and Christians.

Manero was said to have eaten the brains of Favali after he shot the priest in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town. Manero’s group accused Favali, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, of being a supporter of communist rebels.

After the killing, Manero was arrested, jailed and freed 22 years later. Manero also apologized over the murder of Favali and said he wanted to dedicate the rest of his life in service of the poor.

His release from prison was ordered by the Arroyo government after Manero signed an agreement in 2005 with Fr Peter Geremia, one of Favali's fellow PIME missionaries, and Bishop Romulo Valles that “he would never again get involved in the violence in the southern part of the country, and would never again resort to violence".

The agreement was what changed the possibility of parole for Manero. (Mindanao Examiner)

Nur Misuari pledges to support government peace efforts in South RP

A US soldier scribbles a note as former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari speaks to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Patikul town in the southern Filipino island of Sulu. Misuari has committed to help peace and development efforts in Sulu, one of six provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, where US forces are currently deployed and helping Governor Tan in various humanitarian and development projects and at the same time training Filipino troops. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 3, 2008) – Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari has pledged to support government peace efforts in the southern Philippines, a far cry from his previous criticism of President Gloria Arroyo, whom he previously accused of failing to implement the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF.

“We want peace. We don’t want war and I am helping President Arroyo to bring peace in the South,” Misuari said when he held a meeting with Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and senior military and government officials on Thursday at the Provincial Capitol in Patikul town.

Misuari, accompanied by dozens of supporters, said he was asked by Mrs. Arroyo to help in bringing peace in Mindanao, where troops are battling Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels.

Misuari spoke with Tan and Major General Juancho Sabban, commander of military forces in Sulu, and Undersecretary Nabil Tan, a presidential adviser, about his role as a peace maker.

He also met with his loyal forces in Sulu led by Habier Malik, who is wanted by the Philippine authorities for previously leading a series of attacks on government troops on the province.

In August, Misuari strongly criticized Mrs. Arroyo for her failure to honor the provisions of the peace accord the government signed 12 years ago.“We want freedom from the government. We don't need a limited freedom,” Misuari told his supporters at a mosque when he visited Zamboanga City.

“I have gone to all of the most dangerous places in Mindanao to tell our people to pray to almighty Allah for freedom. I call on our people to consolidate their unity and solidarity for freedom,” he said.

It was unknown whether Misuari would also meet with the leaders of the MILF, a breakaway faction of the MNLF. Manila suspended the seven-year old peace talks with the MILF after rebels launched a series of deadly attacks in Mindanao.

The MILF said the rebels mounted the attacks after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the territorial deal between Manila and the MILF because many of its provisions were unconstitutional. But the MILF said the peace panels have initially signed the Muslim homeland agreement in July in Malaysia, which is brokering the talks and it would not renegotiate the agreement.

It said government peace negotiators and Mrs. Arroyo's emissaries rushed the signing of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain so she can include it in her state of the nation address on July 28.

The controversial deal also sparked massive protests from politicians opposed to the agreement that would have granted about four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao.

Arroyo later scrapped the Muslim homeland deal and abolished the government team negotiating with the MILF and suspended the peace talks and vowed to achieve peace in the restive region through dialogues and consultations with the communities and political leaders.

Misuari in the past said his group has nothing to do with the peace talks between the government and the MILF. “We are not involved (in the peace process). We are not a party to that. We are not bound by any consequences of any peace agreement,” he said.

The MNLF, under Misuari, signed the peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is now facing rebellion charges after his followers tried, but failed to overrun a major military base in Sulu province and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region. He fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari is currently out on bail.

Early this year, the MNLF Central Committee said it removed Misuari as chairman of the former rebel group and installed Muslimin Sema, the Front's Secretary-General.

But Misuari insisted that he is still the chieftain of the MNLF and accused Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as a traitor and so were those who supported Sema.

Misuari also earned the ire of the Malaysian government after he renewed calls of the claims of the Philippines to Sabah. In retaliation, Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, furious over the rumblings from Misuari, has called for stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state.

The Malaysian official also said that the National Security Council should closely watch developments in the southern Philippines. Lee said the NSC and the Sabah State Security Committee should act on the problems brought about by Misuari's revival of the Sabah claims.

He also urged Kuala Lumpur to suspend the ferry service between Zamboanga and Sandakan and impose bonds on incoming visitors and to require ferry passengers to have return tickets and to step up operations against illegal Filipino immigrants.

The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo lays claim to Sabah.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram.

Misuari said what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is but a pittance. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Veteran MNLF Mujahideen

A veteran mujahideen Insanil Dambong of the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front raises his clenched fist outside a mosque in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 where former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari prays. Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to fully implement the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the MNLF. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Nur Misuari Accuses Manila Anew Of Failing To Honor 12-Year Old Peace Deal

Former Moro National Liberation Front rebel chieftain Nur Misuari is flanked by former MNLF rebels-turned-government soldiers and supporters as they marched to a mosque in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines where he speak to about 200 unarmed followers. Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to fully implement the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the MNLF. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 6, 2008) – The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has accused Manila on Wednesday of failing to implement the peace agreement it signed with the former Muslim rebel group more than a decade ago.

“We want freedom from the government. We don’t need a limited freedom,” Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF who signed the peace deal in 1996, said in Zamboanga City where he met with about 200 former rebels and supporters, some from as far as Davao del Sur province.

“I have gone to all of the most dangerous places in Mindanao to tell our people to pray to almighty Allah for freedom. I call on our people to consolidate their unity and solidarity for freedom,” he said.

Misuari also spoke with his loyal MNLF leaders at the Lantaka hotel in downtown Zamboanga before attending a prayer in the nearby village of Santa Barbara.

Misuari, escorted by former rebels-turned-government soldiers, and supporters chanted “Allahu Akbar” or God is great, as they marched to the village. Security was tight for Misuari and Muslims entering the mosque to pray were frisked by soldiers for weapons.

“We really want our freedom back. The government was not really sincere in implementing the peace agreement it signed with us. We want our freedom and we want independence,” one of Misuari’s supporters, Abdulkadil Imdani told the Mindanao Examiner.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also met with Misuari and they held a closed door meeting at the Garden Orchid hotel. Zamboanga was previously being claimed as part of the ancestral domain of the MNLF and residents had voted twice against the inclusion of their villages to the Muslim autonomous region.

Lobregat said he told Misuari that Zamboanga is a peaceful city and that residents had rejected two plebiscites in the past. Thousands of residents on Monday also rallied against attempts by Manila to include eight villages in Zamboanga City in the ancestral domain deal it signed last month with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a breakaway faction of the MNLF.

“I have told the (MNLF) Chairman (Nur Misuari) that in Zamboanga, we always live in harmony and we always live in peace. We have no wall between us, we live in harmony and we are in unity, Christians, Muslims and Lumads (indigenous peoples) alike,” Lobregat told reporters.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the formal signing Tuesday in Malaysia of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain after Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian and other lawmakers filed a petition on Monday.

The MILF said the agreement was already approved on July 16 in Kuala Lumpur and that Tuesday’s signing was only a formal ceremony. But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, which seeks to expand the five-province Muslim autonomous region, will need enabling laws for it to be implemented.

He said the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain is part of a comprehensive peace agreement that Manila and the MILF will have to negotiate and conclude.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF, now the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao.

Misuari said his group has nothing to do with the peace talks between the government and the MILF. “We are not involved in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF. We are not part of any agreement between the government and the MILF,” he said, referring to the ancestral domain deal which would make up the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity that would grant Muslims a separate homeland.

“We are not involved (in the peace process). We are not a party to that. We are not bound by any consequences of any peace agreement,” Misuari said.

The MNLF, under Misuari, signed the peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Misuari is now facing rebellion charges after his followers tried, but failed to overrun a major military base in Sulu province and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region. He fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by the Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari is currently out on bail.

Early this year, the MNLF Central Committee said it removed Misuari as chairman of the former rebel group and installed Muslim Sema, the Front’s Secretary-General. But Misuari insisted that he is still the chieftain of the MNLF and accused Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, as traitor and so were those who supported Sema.

Misuari also earned the ire of the Malaysian government after he renewed calls of the claims of the Philippines to Sabah. In retaliation, Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, furious over the rumblings from Misuari, has called for stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state.

The Malaysian official also said that the National Security Council should closely watch developments in the southern Philippines. Lee said the NSC and the Sabah State Security Committee should act on the problems brought about by Misuari’s revival of the Sabah claims.

He also urged Kuala Lumpur to suspend the ferry service between Zamboanga and Sandakan and impose bonds on incoming visitors and to require ferry passengers to have return tickets and to step up operations against illegal Filipino immigrants.

The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo lays claim to Sabah. The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over much of the islands off the Sulu Sea. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to North Borneo, now known as Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram.

Misuari said what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is but a pittance. (Mindanao Examiner)

DOJ: Misuari Told Us Laring-Laring Is Isnaji's Alias

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said it was former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF) chief Nur Misuari who provided investigators one of the missing pieces that linked Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji in the Sulu abduction.

Radio dzBB's Teresa Tavares reported that according to Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez, Misuari told authorities that the mastermind of the abduction who was referred to by locals as "Laring-Laring" is actually an alias used by Isnaji.

Gonzalez said investigators stumbled on the name Laring-Laring after debriefing the hostages shortly after their release.

The hostages recalled the kidnappers mentioning the name Laring-Laring when they were talking about how to divide the ransom money.

But the investigators were stumped on who Laring-Laring was, until Misuari told them it was actually Isnaji. Isnaji is affiliated with Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front. - GMANews.TV

Malaysia Furious Over Renewed RP Claims On Sabah

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 27, 2008) – A senior Malaysian politician furious over a renewed Philippine claims on Sabah have called for a stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state.

Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the National Security Council should closely watch developments in the southern Philippines with the collapse of the Moro peace deal and release of former rebel leader Nur Misuari, the Malaysian’s Star reported.

Lee said the withdrawal last month of the Malaysian truce observers from Mindanao was a clear indication of the failure of the peace process involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Further worries included the rumblings from freed rebel Nur Misuari over the Philippines’ claim to Sabah and the re-grouping of the Moro National Liberation Front,” the Star said.

Misuari, who was ousted as MNLF chairman by Muslimin Sema, the Front’s Secretary General, wanted the International Court of Justice to settle the Philippine claims on Sabah if Malaysia fails to resolve the issue.

Lee said the NSC and the Sabah State Security Committee should act on the problems brought about by the failure of the peace process and Misuari’s revival of the Sabah claims.

“All these warrant the immediate attention of the National Security Council in Putrajaya and the Sabah State Security Committee,” he said.

He also urged Kuala Lumpur to suspend the ferry service between Zamboanga and Sandakan. “Malaysia can also suspend the Zamboanga-Sandakan ferry service, impose bonds on incoming visitors, require ferry passengers to have return tickets and step up enforcement at all levels of government,” he said.

The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo lays claim to Sabah. The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over much of the islands off the Sulu Sea. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to North Borneo, now known as Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram.

Misuari said what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is but a pittance.

The MNLF, under Misuari, signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending more than three decades of bloody fighting in the southern Philippines, and accepted a limited autonomy over four Muslim provinces – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao that were later expanded into 5 provinces with Maguindanao as an addition and now has become six with the inclusion of Shariff Kabunsuan.

Misuari later became governor or the Muslim autonomous region, but later accused the government of failing to honor the peace agreement, and his forces attacked major military bases and held civilians hostage in Sulu province and Zamboanga City in November 2001.

He fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila where he is now facing rebellion charges and currently out on bail.

Sema said the issue on Sabah has been a long irritant between the Philippines and Malaysia and he appealed to Misuari not to use this to stir restlessness among local Muslims in Mindanao.

“This has been a very old issue and we don’t want to strain our good relations with Malaysia at the expense of everybody. The Philippines has in the past approached this old issue with diplomacy and respect to maintain good bilateral relations with Malaysia and we wanted this to continue,” Sema told the Mindanao Examiner. (Mindanao Examiner)

MNLF Holds Peace Summit In Southern RP

Nur Misuari, left, and Muslimin Sema, both claiming to be the chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 12, 2008) – Some 300 former Moro National Liberation Front rebels gathered Monday in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines to campaign for peace.

“We are here gathered to unify our people and to work for everlasting peace in Mindanao,” said Muslimin Sema, the new leader of the MNLF, once the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for independence in the southern Philippines.

The MNLF Central Committee named Sema, the group's Secretary General, as its new chairman, replacing Nur Misuari. But Misuari did not recognize Sema as the legitimate ruler of the MNLF.

It was the second time in nearly a decade that Misuari, who founded the MNLF, was removed by his own commanders. Sema is a member of the so-called MNLF Council of 15, which first ousted Misuari. The Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu province in an effort to stop the elections.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines.

Sema's group previously appointed Misuari as chairman emeritus, but rejected the position. The Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the Muslim autonomous region.

The three-day summit, Sema said, is also aimed at strengthening the MNLF and to review the provisions of the peace agreement.

He said a new MNLF charter is expected to be approved by the MNLF Central Committee at the end of the summit. Sema said a “twelve-point policy of direction” of the MNLF will be presented during the conference.

Sema said they would also propose to President Gloria Arroyo to appoint a member of the MNLF as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao instead of holding elections every three years.

He also insisted that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was created as part of a peace deal the MNLF with Manila. And under its provisions, an MNLF member must sit as governor of the six-province autonomous region.

“Admittedly the existence of the ARMM is the product attributed to the Bangsamoro people's struggle for self-determination in a way to address the age-long political conflict. Undoubtedly, therefore, the MNLF is the legitimate claimant to ARMM to speak of its role in governance,” Sema said.

He said the MNLF has endorsed Alvarez Isnaji, the mayor of Indanan town in Sulu province, to be the governor of the autonomous region.

“In order to get rid of election related violence, excessive spending and corruption, the MNLF is seeking preferably the prerogative of the President to appoint MNLF candidate to be the ARMM governor. Anyhow, the President plays a vital role insofar as ARMM governorship is concerned," Sema said.

Zaldy Ampatuan, a former town mayor in Maguindanao province, is the current governor of the Muslim autonomous region after he won the polls against Parouk Hussin, a senior MNLF leader.

Ampatuan, as governor of the Muslim autonomous region, introduced reforms and fought corruption in government. He also prioritized development projects in areas where there are MNLF communities in support to the peace agreement.

Sema said the MNLF has been eased out from the mainstream of governance in the ARMM. “This situation is an obstacle to the peace agreement. In as much as the MNLF is still aspiring for active participation in all levels of governance appropriate both in regional and national political mainstreams, power sharing in governance to involve the MNLF principally should be taken as a measure to erase the obstacle,” he said.

Although Sema is pushing for an MNLF leadership in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, he also praised Ampatuan because of his many accomplishments in the Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan. (Mindanao Examiner)

Special Report: Nur Misuari, Muslimin Sema And The Future Of The MNLF

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 28, 2008) – Freed former Moro National Liberation Front chieftain Nur Misuari will begin touring Muslim communities in the Philippines to campaign for peace.

His followers in Sulu province said they will prepare a big welcome party for Misuari, who is accused of rebellion after his forces attacked a major military base in Jolo town in 2001 in an effort to stop the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to which he was governor.

“We are waiting for our one and only leader and we will give him a big welcome in Sulu,” Abdul Sahalul, one of Misuari’s loyal followers in Sulu, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Misuari’s other leaders here, among them Ustadz Habier Malik, are still in hiding after they clashed with security forces last year and held hostage a group of military officers in a failed effort to pressure Manila to free Misuari.

Misuari was granted a P50,000 bail by a court last week after spending more than five years under house arrest in Manila. He said he would not run for governor again in the autonomous region, whose system he branded as “dirty” and ran by Malacañang.

“I don’t want to be part of a system which is dirty,” said Misuari, who also ran as governor in Sulu province twice and but lost.

Misuari maintained the ARMM was created as part of a peace deal the MNLF with Manila in September 1996.

Zaldy Ampatuan, a former town mayor in Maguindanao province, is the current governor of the Muslim autonomous region after he won the polls against Parouk Hussin.

Hussin, a senior MNLF leader, was one of those that made up the so-called Council of 15 that deposed Misuari as chairman of the organization that was once the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines.

Ampatuan, as governor of the Muslim autonomous region, has introduced reforms and fought corruption in government. He also prioritized development projects in areas where there are MNLF communities in support to the peace agreement.

Just this month, the MNLF Central Committee named Muslimin Sema, the group’s Secretary General, as its new chairman, But Misuari did not recognize Sema as the legitimate ruler of the MNLF.

Misuari has been criticized for his tough stance and his refusal to abide by the MNLF decision that catapulted Sema into power. Sema, who originally belonged to the Council of 15, said Misuari should stop bickering and work for peace and unity in the southern Philippines.

“We should to put things in their order and work for lasting peace in the country. This is our direction now and we will make ourselves available to the government to achieve peace and unity and bring development to our people,” Sema said in a separate interview.

Sema also praised the current governor of the autonomous region because of his many accomplishments in the six provinces that comprise the ARMM – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan.

“Through these accomplishments, we can see his many achievements in the ARMM,” Sema said, referring to Ampatuan.

The MNLF, in a resolution, also criticized Misuari and branded him as a dictator and said he is no longer effective in running the group.

“We strive against the divisive dictatorial leadership, callousness and incorrigibility of Brother Nur Misuari that keep on weakening the MNLF and giving us the impediment to attain meaningful peace and development and against his disposition by repudiating senior MNLF members credibility and barring their participation in the tripartite meeting as members of the MNLF panel delegation because he enlisted non-MNLF members to replace them both in domestic and international forums,” it said.

The MNLF said Misuari appointed Yolanda Stern to represent him in meetings abroad instead of senior MNLF leaders. A streamer was also put up in Sulu saying: “Misuari has no right to send Yolanda, a Yahudi (Jew), to head the MNLF delegation to the last OIC summit meeting in Dakar, Senegal.”

Stern, head of an international foundation that helps the poor in the Philippines, said the sign is anti-female and an anti-Jewish remark directed at her name and husband, Dr. Tom Stern who is an American of Norwegian ancestry, but whose father was of Russian-Jewish heritage.

Misuari, as the official invitee to the Dakar summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference in March, was not allowed to go by the Philippine government for fear that he would never return. So he sent his emissaries, Ustadz Zain Jali and Abdul Muhaimin and Stern and her husband were the support team.

Stern said she is a senior adviser of the MNLF to the Americas. “My husband and I went as a support team because he speaks French and I know the Secretariat Staff. Dakar is a French speaking country.”

“I signed a memorandum of agreement with the MNLF in 1996 after the (signing of the) peace agreement (with the Philippine government). I will continue working with Chairman Nur Misuari towards peace for Mindanao until the leadership is determined by the Peoples Congress and not by underhanded treachery. Our foundation works hard to serve the people of the Philippines, especially Mindanao. I am a daughter of Mindanao, a free woman. Pity those who still resort to medieval thinking,” she said.

Aishah Fatima, of the MNLF, said Stern is not a member of the former rebel group and criticized her for underestimating the current leadership.

“That's reality and you had to accept it. Do not underestimate the new leadership now of the MNLF because without these leaders, Misuari is nothing and neither you have the right to scrutinize their decisions.”

“Misuari already made a big blunder by exchanging the struggle of the MNLF for a piece of paper where implementation never became a reality and where it only made rich foundations like yours, non-MNLF individuals who grab the opportunity of being close to Misuari and some government officials and NGOs,” she said.

Adler Heirman, a blogger who had followed Misuari’s political career, said the former rebel leader failed to bring unity to the MNLF.

“The problem with Nur Misuari is that he never values the efforts of those people who placed him to the top. The truth is, he is not the only founder of the MNLF, but just one of them and he now claims he’s the only founder of the MNLF. He should accept now that his excesses of dictatorial decisions and arrogance resulted to his situation now.”

“And Misuari’s allowing Yolanda (Stern) to represent the MNLF is a total betrayal of the noble cause of the MNLF. If we only follow Islamic way of punishing traitors of Jihad, what happened to Misuari now is not enough punishment for his treachery. Yolanda should call her boss the one perpetrating “underhanded treachery” not those leaders who were sincere in their Jihad Fi Sabillillah. Of course, you can’t understand this because you are not a Muslim and never became a Muslim,” he said.

The MNLF said Misuari is not interested in unity and neither is he interested in adopting a Charter (for the MNLF) that will govern the conduct and behavior of its members and set a clear direction to where the Front is heading.

“The worst thing that could happen to a ship full of passengers is to have a captain who is indifferent and hostile to them and does not have a compass by which to navigate the ship,” it said, adding, Misuari wanted a perpetual leadership with nothing to guide it and no one to question it.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

The 58-year old Sema has criticized Misuari for dragging the MNLF into disarray.

"Misuari wanted to bring down the MNLF with him and that's why we are all working hard to unify the MNLF and bring peace and development in Mindanao," he said.

Government peace adviser Jesus Dureza also welcomed Misuari’s temporary freedom. "We welcome the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court allowing Chairman Nur Misuari to post bail. We hope that with his temporary liberty, Chairman Nur will continue to be an important player in the Mindanao peace process," Dureza said.

But Misuari’s fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also supported President Gloria Arroyo's election bid and her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004 in exchange for promises that he would be pardoned and freed.

Sema has vowed to "put into track the peace process with the government and make good the relations between the MNLF and government and convert it as vanguard of our people against exploitation and oppression and also as vanguard for good governance, transparency and accountability".

Sema said he intends to work further with local and international non-government organizations to bring peace and development in Muslim areas in Mindanao.

Sources close to Misuari previously said that he may be freed this year on condition that he will go to exile in Libya, which had previously supported the MNLF struggle for independence in the Philippines.

It was unknown whether Tripoli was aware or part of the plan, but Seif al-Islam, the son of the Libyan strongman Muammar al-Gaddafi and former Libyan ambassador to Manila, Salem Adam, were in Manila last year and met with government and MNLF leaders and discussed about Misuari’s case.

Seif’s Gaddafi Foundation said it would invite Misuari to a series of meeting in Libya next month to discuss the peace agreement it signed with Manila.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

The 58-year old Sema has criticized Misuari for dragging the MNLF into disarray. "Misuari wanted to bring down the MNLF with him and that's why we are all working hard to unify the MNLF and bring peace and development in Mindanao," he said.

The Organization of Islamic Conference is worried that the MNLF under Sema would further fragment the group and set back the efforts of the peace accord. The MNLF is a permanent observer to OIC. Misuari has repeatedly announced that the peace deal the MNLF signed with the Filipino government is long dead and buried and that he named himself as President of the Bangsamoro Republik. (Mindanao Examiner)

MNLF Praises Release Of Nur Misuari, But With Caution

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 25, 2008) – Former Muslim separatist rebel group Moro National Liberation Front has praised Manila on Friday for allowing its deposed leader Nur Misuari to post bail for his temporary liberty, but cautioned the Libyan firebrand against dividing the MNLF.

The Department of Justice said a court granted Misuari temporary freedom.

Misuari is facing rebellion charges after his forces tried, but failed to overrun a major military base in the southern Sulu province and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region where he was then the governor.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now under house arrest and facing rebellion charges in Manila.

“We welcome the news of his release. And we hope this will bring unity and peace to the people,” Muslimin Sema, the new MNLF chieftain, told the Mindanao Examiner newspaper.

Misuari previously accused Sema’s group of removing him as chairman of the MNLF. His followers in Sulu said Misuari never recognized Sema as the new chieftain of the MNLF.

“Sema expects resistance to his leadership only by those whom he called as having different direction in the pursuit of the MNLF’s goals. He stressed that the Front is not fractured and that reorganization is in the offing,” Abdullah Cusain, Sema’s spokesman, said.

A former rebel leader, Sema, now the mayor of Cotabato City in Mindanao Island, has been elected earlier this month by the MNLF Central Committee as its new chieftain. It was the second time in nearly a decade that Misuari, who founded the MNLF, was removed by his own commanders.

In 2000, Misuari was also ousted by his Foreign Affairs chief Parouk Hussin, who along with Sema and other senior leaders, made up the so-called Council of 15. Sema’s group previously appointed Misuari as chairman emeritus, but he rejected the position.

The Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

The 58-year old Sema has criticized Misuari for dragging the MNLF into disarray. “Misuari wanted to bring down the MNLF with him and that’s why we are all working hard to unify the MNLF and bring peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.

Government peace adviser Jesus Dureza also welcomed Misuari’s temporary freedom. “We welcome the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court allowing Chairman Nur Misuari to post bail. We hope that with his temporary liberty, Chairman Nur will continue to be an important player in the Mindanao peace process,” Dureza said.

But Misuari's fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also ran twice for governor in Sulu province even while under detention, but lost.

Misuari also supported Arroyo's election bid and her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004 in exchange for promises that he would be pardoned and freed.

Sema has vowed to “put into track the peace process with the government and make good the relations between the MNLF and government and convert it as vanguard of our people against exploitation and oppression and also as vanguard for good governance, transparency and accountability”.

Sema said he intends to work further with local and international non-government organizations to bring peace and development in Muslim areas in Mindanao.

Sources close to Misuari earlier said that he may be freed this year on condition that he will go to exile in Libya, which had previously supported the MNLF struggle for independence in the Philippines.

It was unknown whether Tripoli was aware or part of the plan, but Seif al Islam, the son of the Libyan strongman Muammar al-Gaddafi and former Libyan ambassador to Manila, Salem Adam, were in Manila last year and met with government and MNLF leaders and discussed about Misuari’s case. (Mindanao Examiner)

Photo: Anti-Nur Misuari Sign In Sulu Province

A young boy looks curiously at a sign left by unidentified men at the Jolo airport in the southern Philippine province. The sign criticized Nur Misuri, founder of the Moro National Liberation Front for sending a woman to represent the former Muslim rebel group at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Senegal. The sign reads: Misuari has no right to send Yolanda, a Yahudi, to head the MNLF delegation to the last OIC summit meeting in Dakar, Senegal." Misuari was ousted last week as MNLF chairman, by his former aides and named Muslimin Sema, the mayor of Cotabato City, as the new head of the organization. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Libyan Firebrand Nur Misuari Is Removed As Chieftain Of MNLF In New Coup

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 02, 2008) – A former Muslim rebel leader, Nur Misuari, jailed on charges of rebellion in the Philippines, has been removed as chieftain of the Moro National Liberation Front.

A former rebel leader, Muslimin Sema, now the mayor of Cotabato City in Mindanao Island, has been named as the new chieftain of the MNLF. It was the second time in nearly a decade that Misuari, who founded the MNLF, was removed by his own commanders.

In 2000, Misuari was also ousted by his Foreign Affairs chief Parouk Hussin, who along with Sema and other senior leaders, made up the so-called Council of 15.

Sema’s group previously appointed Misuari as chairman emeritus, but rejected the position. The Council of 15 accused Misuari of being incompetent as governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now under house arrest and facing rebellion charges in Manila.

Misuari's arrest in Malaysia, which also previously supported the MNLF bid for a separate homeland in Mindanao, was said to be in retaliation for his failure to secure the release of dozens of foreigners and Malaysian citizens kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group on two island resorts off Sabah in 2000 and brought to Sulu province.

Hussin, who became governor of the Muslim autonomous region, was also ousted several years later after the Council of 15, disgruntled at his leadership, put back Misuari as head of the MNLF in 2007.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

But Misuari's fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also ran twice for governor in Sulu province even while under detention, but lost.

He also supported Arroyo's election bid and her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004 in exchange for promises that he would be pardoned and freed.

Sema’s spokesman, Abdullah Cusain, said the former rebel leader was unanimously elected by the MNLF central committee after a plenum on Tuesday in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.

“With two-thirds of the Central Committee’s members and more than 300 ground commanders in attendance, the 3-day assembly settles the leadership crisis and absence of policy directions engendered in part by the refusal of Misuari in 2000 to abide with the decision of the then Council of 15 elevating him as chairman emeritus,” Cusain said.

Cusain said the 58-year old Sema vowed to “put into track the peace process with the government and make good the relations between the MNLF and government and convert it as vanguard of our people against exploitation and oppression and also as vanguard for good governance, transparency and accountability”.

Sema, he said, intends to work further with local and international non-government organizations to bring peace and development in Muslim areas in Mindanao.

“Sema expects resistance to his leadership only by those whom he called as having different direction in the pursuit of the MNLF’s goals. He stressed that the Front is not fractured and that reorganization is in the offing,” Cusain said.

A former aide of Misuari and member of the Council of 15, Abdul Sahrin, have also been named as the new MNLF secretary-general. Misuari has previously branded the Council of 15 as a group of traitors.

Sources close to Misuari said he may be freed this year on condition that he will go to exile in Libya, which had previously supported the MNLF struggle for independence in the Philippines.

It was unknown whether Tripoli was aware or part of the plan, but Seif al Islam, the son of the Libyan strongman Muammar al-Gaddafi and former Libyan ambassador to Manila, Salem Adam were in Manila last year and met with government and MNLF leaders and discussed about Misuari’s case. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police Tightens Security Grip In Sulu Province

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 4, 008) – Police have tightened security in the southern Philippine province of Sulu following reports that Moro National Liberation Front forces were planning to launch a series of attacks against government targets.

Some 300 MNLF members have gathered in Talipao town and were said to be planning to attack military posts, police intelligence reports said.

“There were reports alright, but all these are subject to verification. One report suggested the MNLF is to attack military posts in Bayug village in Talipao, but so far there have been no attacks,” Superintendent Jul Asirim Kasim, the Sulu provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Kasim said they received reports from the villagers in Talipao town. He said MNLF leader Khabir Malik was supposed to lead the attack. “Some 300 MNLF members gathered in Talipao last week, but we do not know what was discussed during their meeting,” he said.

Inspector Usman Pingay, police chief of Jolo town and Superintendent Muhibuddin Ismail, chief of an elite provincial police force, said they have no reports about an impending attack. “It is peaceful in Jolo,” Pingay said.

Ismail said his group has not received reports about the planned attacks by gunmen loyal to jailed MNLF chieftain Nur Musuari. “We have no reports about it,” he said in a separate interview.

Other reports said the MNLF in Sulu has joined forces with the Abu Sayyaf group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya and would attack police and military camps.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the peace deal, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living. They accused Manila of failing to develop the war-torn areas in the south.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now under house arrest in Manila.

Earlier this year, the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), urged Manila to free Misuari.

The MILF wanted Misuari released from detention after six of his followers were freed in January this year. The MILF, a breakaway faction of the MNLF, is currently negotiating peace with the Arroyo government, but talks were stalled last year over the issue of the Muslim ancestral domain. (With a report from Nickee Butlangan)

2 MNLF Leaders Accused Of Illegal Recruitment

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 01, 2008) - A senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), urged the group's chieftain Nur Misuari to censure two of his field commanders for large-scale recruitment and promising new members with high-paying jobs.

Datu Dima Ambil, chairman of the MNLF’s Sebangan Kutawato State, said the two commanders, Johnny Sugagel and Kautin Usman of North Cotabato and Daval del Sus who are known “Misuari loyalists” were allegedly recruiting in Mindanao.

The two were also using Misuari's name to lure new members to join the former rebel group.

Ambil accused the two leaders of duping Muslim men into joining the MNLF by promising them integration into the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces after the tripartite review of the front’s 1996 peace pact with Manila.

The 11-year-old peace agreement is now subject of an extensive review by the government, the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) as part of a three-way effort to address all misunderstandings on its implementation.

Ambil said both commanders have allegedly collected P5,000 from each of their recruits as “entrance fee” for them to be accepted in the MNLF.

“Its good to expand the ranks of the MNLF, but not through promises that would never materialize. Recruits are also not supposed to pay entrance fees just to become MNLF members,” Ambil told reporters.

More than 7,000 MNLF members had been integrated into the military and police from 1996 to 2000 as part of the peace deal. “The government should help check these illegal activities of these two commanders,” Ambil said.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, he became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

The Muslim autonomous region was meant to implement the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between Manila and the MNLF. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Misuari is currently under house arrest and facing rebellion charges after MNLF forces attacked a major military base in Sulu province and took more than 100 people in Zamboanga City in 2001. (Jerick Wee)

Manila To Send Jailed Rebel Chief To Exile In Libya

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