Alleged Misuari finance officer falls

MANILA, Philippines - A woman who is allegedly responsible for soliciting funds to finance efforts by Nur Misuari to destabilize efforts to forge a power-sharing agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was arrested in Marikina City yesterday.

Eliza Dingal Viga, who reportedly carries the rank of colonel and functions as a finance officer within the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction led by Misuari, was apprehended together with Arnold “Gadget” del Rosario and Ronald “Rock” Badilla for alleged possession of counterfeit dollars and Malaysian ringgit.

“As part of the MNLF destabilization campaign, the alleged MNLF commanders, headed by Viga, were engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit foreign currencies like US dollars and Malaysian ringgit. Proceeds therefrom were then used to fund said campaign,” the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Organized Crime Division said.

Bundles of fake Turkish liras and Iraqi dinar were also confiscated from the three when they were arrested at a residence in Permaline Homes on the strength of a warrant issued by Marikina Regional Trial Court Branch 168 Judge Lorna Cheng.