‘Misuari should stand trial in RP’

Indonesia and Malaysia have acceded to a demand of the Philippines that jailed former governor Nur Misuari of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) be returned home and charged in court with rebellion.

In a joint communiqué issued Thursday, the foreign ministers of the three nations said Malaysia would turn over Misuari to the Philippines.

"The Philippines recognizes the need to treat Misuari with the humanitarian consideration he deserves as a signatory to the 1996 peace accord, even as he would be subject to the judicial process," read an excerpt from the joint communiqué.

President Arroyo, speaking before troops at the 66th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday, thanked Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for supporting the Philippine stand before the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Mrs. Arroyo said Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., who is also foreign affairs secretary, reached the following consensus in a meeting Thursday with Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar and his Indonesian counterpart Nur Hassan Wirayuda:

• To recognize the prog-ress made in the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the need to sustain such progress for the good of Muslims in Mindanao.

• The need to accept realities, particularly the election of a new government in the ARMM headed by Parouk Hussin, head of the MNLF Executive Council.

• That the Nov. 19 incident in Zamboanga City involving misguided MNLF members is inconsistent with the 1996 peace agreement.

• The question of Prof. Nur Misuari is an internal affair of the Philippines.

• That Nur Misuari will soon be turned over by the Malaysian government to Philippine authorities to face trial.

• The Philippines recognizes the need to treat Nur Misuari with the humanitarian consideration he deserves as signatory to the 1996 peace accord, even as he will be subject to the judicial process.

• Secession or independence is rejected as a solution to the problem in Southern Philippines.

• A comprehensive solution must be pursued, including political, economic, and social reforms to resolve the grievances and aspiration of Filipino Muslims.

The agreement of Indonesia and Malaysia — both OIC members — signals that the Islamic group would not object to Misuari’s return to the Philippines.

In a meeting with Guingona, Hamid said he reiterated Malaysia’s position that Misuari be subject to Philippine law and that Malaysia would deport him.

Both ministers said they visited Manila as representatives of an OIC committee tasked to monitor the progress of the implementation of the provisions of the 1996 peace accord between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The Philippines has rejected a plea of the OIC that Misuari be allowed to seek refuge in a third country.

Syed Hamid and Wirayuda said yesterday Mrs. Arroyo and other Philippine officials expect Misuari to be sent back to the Philippines to face trial for rebellion in accordance with the country’s judicial process.

"We are interested to see peace and stability in our region, and the three neighboring countries work closely on matters of common interest," the two ministers said.

Wirayuda said: "There have been plus and minuses, but we recognize progress of the implementation."

Syed Hamid said: "We have to recognize that there’s still a long way (to go) but you need to move forward."

Wirayuda said they have conveyed to Philippine officials the interest of the OIC to see that Misuari be granted on humanitarian grounds a sanctuary to a third country.

Syed Hamid said Malaysia has agreed to hold Misuari for the "time being" until the Philippines was ready for his deportation.

Hamid flew to Manila Thursday with Wirayuda for an overnight visit to discuss Misuari’s fate with Mrs. Arroyo, Guingona and other Philippine officials.

Syed Hamid said he had relayed to the Philippine government Thursday his country’s plan to deport Misuari at a still undisclosed date.

Guingona said that from his meeting with Hamid and Wirayuda, the Philippines can now determine what to do with Misuari but he refused to give any details.

In Malaysia, Mahathir told Bernama news agency his government is determined to deport Misuari to the Philippines.

"We cannot renege on that promise," he was quoted as saying.

Misuari was detained in Malaysia last Nov. 24 for illegal entry when he fled after a failed uprising by his supporters.

Misuari, along with six supporters, was caught sneaking into Sabah, days after he was said to have led an attack on a military camp in Jolo, Sulu.

Under the 1996 accord brokered by the OIC, Misuari agreed to give up the fight for an independent Islamic state in exchange for regional autonomy.

Misuari was elected unopposed as ARMM governor in 1996 and many MNLF members were taken into the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police as "integrees."

Misuari reneged on the deal when the government insisted on holding elections for the post of governor last November and backed a rival candidate.

His rival, Parouk Hussin, was declared elected as the new ARMM governor this month. — Marichu Villanueva, Pia Lee-Brago