Zambo City to pursue case against Nur Misuari, MNLF

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The government of this city remains firm in its legal battle for justice against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that attacked this city in September 2013.

This, even as acting Mayor Cesar Iturralde declined to comment on a statement made by incoming president Rodrigo Duterte that he intends to grant Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF, immunity from suit.

The 20-day MNLF siege, that started on September 8, 2013, displaced over 150,000 people and adversely affected the lives of the city’s inhabitants and those living in adjacent provinces.

“At this point in time, it’s too premature to react on the matter. We will wait until the (incoming) president officially assumes office and make such declaration,” Iturralde stressed.

But he did underscore that “ss far as the city government of Zamboanga is concerned, we stand by our position for justice to take its course, he told newsmen here.

“We will fight until justice is served to the people of Zamboanga,” Iturralde said when asked until when the city will keep its fight.

The city government has filed rebellion charges and violations of the International Humanitarian Law in court against Misuari and more than 200 of his followers in connection with the 2013 siege.

Subsequently, the court has issued a warrant for Misuari’s arrest but he remains free to this time in Sulu, while his followers are incarcerated in Taguig jail pending trial of the charges against them.