Arrest warrants vs Misuari out; bail set at P460,000

The warrants for the arrest of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari in connection with the graft cases he is facing before the Sandiganbayan have been issued.

“Warrants of arrest dated Aug. 31, 2017 were delivered for service on Misuari,” Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court Dennis Pulma told reporters yesterday.

Pulma said copies of the warrants were sent to the offices of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and National Bureau of Investigation in Manila and Cotabato.

Bail was set at P460,000 – P60,000 for two counts of graft and P400,000 for two counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

In a resolution released on Tuesday, the anti-graft court ordered the arrest of Misuari and his co-accused over the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials and kits for public schools worth P115.2 million when Misuari was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In a text message to reporters, Misuari’s lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla said his client would respect the due process, but refused to comment when asked if and when the former governor would post bail.

“It’s complicated. It’s not only a matter of bail,” Fontanilla said.“The government and MNLF have agreements, which provide that any conflict should be resolved by the parties.”

Misuari is also facing charges for rebellion and crimes against humanity in connection with the Zamboanga City siege in 2013, which left over 100 people dead.

The implementation of the arrest order was suspended last year to allow Misuari to join the peace talks.

Mum on arrest order

Misuari could not be reached for comment.

Habib Mujahab Hashim, MNLF chairman for the Islamic Command Council, said Misuari is in Manila and preparing for a meeting of the government and MNLF peace panels.

Hashim said Misuari is also expected to meet Yousef AlOthaimeen, Organization of Islamic Cooperation secretary general, next month.

Hashim said Misuari’s lawyers could be preparing for the legal process “so all these peace efforts…will not be hampered.”

“Although it’s sad, it’s still good news that the court allowed him to post bail,” Hashim said.