Gov’t urged to reinstate arrest warrant vs Misuari

Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged Malacañang yesterday to consider reinstating the arrest warrant against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari and send him to jail for suggesting amnesty for the Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

Misuari, who emerged out of hiding last week and even held a press conference at Malacañang, has brought renewed hope on the government securing lasting peace in Mindanao.

Before he was presented, Misuari and President Duterte discussed the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and even the issue of the Abu Sayyaf.

In September, the President revealed that Misuari wanted to include the Abu Sayyaf in the peace process and sought for the grant of amnesty to its members.

“Just by asking that the Abu Sayyaf be granted amnesty smacks of bad faith and scheming tactic on the part of Misuari. He is surely aware that we do not negotiate with terrorists. There is not even a shred of political ideology in every member of the terrorist group, only their insatiability for violence against helpless victims and of course, money,” Lacson said.

“While the military is in a relentless pursuit of a nearly decimated band of terrorists, here comes Misuari having the audacity to suggest amnesty. To think of our soldiers as well as their kidnap victims being tortured, mutilated and beheaded would be enough to make even the most decent human being think of retribution and vengeance,” he added.

Lacson said the government should “seriously consider asking the court that suspended Misuari’s arrest warrant to immediately reinstate the same and put him in jail.”

Sen. Leila de Lima said that while the President might see the reemergence of Misuari as an act of confidence building for peace talks and unification, there are certain risks in bringing him to the table.

“That is his call. However, we must remind him that Misuari is almost a recalcitrant peace partner, talking peace when it suits him and waging war when convenient, without due regard to civilian lives and the lives of our soldiers,” De Lima said.

“The government has enough evidence to prosecute Misuari for his role in the 2013 Zamboanga siege, which resulted in the killing of more than a hundred people and the destruction of a large part of the city. If asked for my unsolicited advice, I would prefer full prosecution of Misuari for the crimes committed during the Zamboanga siege, while continuing to engage constructively with the other MNLF groups,” she added.

Meanwhile, Misuari’s positive response to Duterte’s invitation to the Bangsamoro peace process and signing of an executive order (EO) creating an inclusive Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) on Monday are significant toward ending the armed conflict in Mindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Friday.

OPAPP issued the statement in reaction to the suspension of the arrest warrants issued against Misuari.

It said the peace process in Mindanao is on track with both the MILF and the MNLF on board for a more inclusive resolution to the conflict.

Both groups are willing to sit at the peace table and work together with the government to address the historical injustices committed against the Muslim people.

This is an unprecedented and historic development.

Misuari has declared that only Duterte could solve the peace and order problem in Mindanao.

“This trust from the MNLF founder is a key ingredient in the President’s roadmap toward the achievement of peace in Mindanao,” OPAPP said.

It said Duterte’s determination to end the war once and for all during his term has led him to explore creative ways to get all the key actors to the peace table.

“He has committed to release an unprecedented number of detained leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF) so they could participate in the peace negotiations and declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire,” OPAPP said.

It said the President has caused the suspension of hearings and enforcement of arrest warrants against Misuari so the MNLF founder can participate in the Bangsamoro peace process.