DOJ creates panel to handle deadly Zamboanga siege case

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a five-man panel of prosecutors that would handle the prosecution of Moro National Liberation Front ( MNLF) leader Nur Misuari and 60 others in connection with the Zamboanga City siege last month, the department disclosed today.

In her Department Order No. 799, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima named Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon as head of the panel with Regional Prosecutor Peter Medalle, Assistant State Prosecutors Aristotle Reyes and Niven Canlapan and Prosection Attorney Cesar Angelo Chavez III as members.

The Philippines' Supreme Court had earlier granted the request of the DOJ through Prosecutor General Claro Arellano to transfer the trial of the case from the Regional Trial Court of Zamboanga to any court in Metro Manila. The Court eventually assigned the case to the Regional Trial Court of Taguig City.

Aside from rebellion charges, the DOJ also filed a separate complaint against Misuari and his followers for violation of the provisions of the Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes against Humanity.

Only 57 accused are currently detained in Zamboanga as Misuari, and his commanders Ustadz Habier Malik, Assamin Hussin and Bas Arki have remained at large.

A total of 12 civilians were killed and over 9,000 houses were burned in the three-week Zamboanga standoff that erupted early in September as hundreds of MNLF members tried to siege the city.