Nur sends SOS to UNHCR

Jailed rebel leader Nur Misuari has applied for political asylum with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), his lawyer Ely Pamatong said yesterday.

In an urgent application for political asylum, Pamatong asked UNHCR Ruud Lubbers to place Misuari and six companions, now detained by Malaysia, under the jurisdiction of the UNHCR under the 1951 UN Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Pamatong, who styles himself "sultan sadar" from the "royal sultanates of Mindanao," said he filed the petition "in behalf of the Bangsamoro legendary leader" whom he referred to as "His Excellency."

According to the petition, Misuari was "the president of the proposed Bangsamoro Republic, composed of more or less 20 million inhabitants, covering the islands of Mindanao, Sulu archipelago, and Palawan in Southern Philippines."

Misuari’s aim, the petition read, was to "re-establish" a Bangsamoro Republic where his people can live free from the "morally and spiritually destructive influence of the leadership of the Philippine government which has been rated or ranked as the ‘4th most corrupt country in the world’ by the IMF and the Philippine Ombudsman."

Misuari claimed that "because of unbridled corruption and insincerity, the Philippine government has failed to implement a long series of agreements."

The petition referred to the signed at least two agreements between the government and Misuari, who was then chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

"The Philippine government persuaded MNLF chairman Nur P. Misuari to serve as governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but programmed his administration to self-destruct by denying him vital financial support needed to improve the lot of his people," the petition read.

The petition also said the Arroyo administration was an "ochlocratic," or pertaining to mob rule, form of government and her (President Arroyo’s) husband is "facing charges of also plundering the wealth of the Filipino people."

However, while the opposition has repeatedly accused the President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo of several irregularities, no charges are pending in court of law.

The petition also accused Mrs. Arroyo of "criminally conspiring" with MNLF leaders Dr. Parouk Hussin, Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema and Sulu Gov. Yusup Jikiri to oust Misuari from the MNLF chairmanship.

"At all times, Ms. Gloria Arroyo was aware that Dr. Hussein was not, and is still not, a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines; and, as such, does not enjoy any support or sympathy from the Bangsamoro people," the petition read.

In a separate press statement signed by Pamatong apparently from New York, the lawyer also slammed Malaysia for arresting Misuari and his six close associates for illegally entering Malaysia.

Misuari and his six unidentified companions were arrested on Nov. 24 on the Malaysian frontier island of Sempiras after the Philippine military crushed a deadly revolt he supposedly instigated that resulted in the death of more than 100 of his loyal followers.

"Despite Malaysia’s recognition of the Misuari group’s status of belligerency coupled with Misuari’s record as UNESCO’s Peace Prize awardee, Prime Minister Mahathir (Mohamad) claimed Misuari is a ‘terrorist’ and as such is entitled to no asylum anywhere in the world," Pamatong said.

The Malaysian leader made the statement as he lamented Misuari’s failure to fulfill his promises of progress and development in Mindanao despite serving as ARMM governor for five years.

"I want the world to know that my crime, if any, simply flows (from) my driving dream to liberate my people from an extremely corrupt environment," Pamatong quoted Misuari as saying.

Pamatong said Misuari instructed him to seek the assistance of US President George W. Bush.

"To brand me as a terrorist is no different from calling (Thomas) Jefferson a terrorist because I am simply following his belief that it is the right of a people to alter or abolish a government that has ceased to advance their interest and aspirations," Misuari said.

"I am therefore challenging (Bush) to given me a chance to prove my lifetime commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy. Given a reasonable time my forces can wipe out all the terrorists from the face of Mindanao, and we do not need United States Special Forces to do that," Pamatong quoted Misuari as saying.