‘Misuari seriously ill’

MANILA, Philippines - Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari is seriously ill, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin disclosed yesterday.

During the hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense at the House of Representatives, Gazmin told lawmakers that authorities continue to monitor the movements of Misuari, who earlier declared independence from Manila after accusing Malacañang of failing to fulfill its commitments under the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.

Misuari had declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik that covers Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.

Gazmin said Misuari’s followers staged a rally in Davao City but it was peaceful “and there were no weapons.”

“Nur Misuari, we found out, has a serious ailment,” Gazmin said, without elaborating.

The MNLF leader slammed the Aquino administration for advancing its peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when it has not yet fully complied with its agreement with his group.

The MILF is a breakaway faction of the MNLF when the latter forged the 1996 peace agreement with the government.