Fugitive Misuari in West Africa attending OIC meeting: spokesman

MANILA, Philippines - Former ARMM governor Nur Misuari is in Conakry, Republic of Guinea attending a meeting of members of the Organization of Islamic Conference, his spokesperson claimed Tuesday.

"Nasa OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) na po 'yung ating mahal na propesor... Doon na po siya sa Guinea at nakikipag-usap na po," Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesperson of Misuari, said in an interview over radio dzMM.

The OIC's Council of Foreign Ministers meeting started on Monday and will end on Wednesday (December 11).

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu sent a letter of invitation to Misuaro dated November 24 to join the meeting. Misuari was invited as a "sole" representative of the MNLF.

Fontanilla said that Misuari is still looking for peaceful means to end the MNLF's dispute with the government.

Earlier this month, Muslim leaders urged the OIC to cease from recognizing Misuari as the sole representative of the Bangsamoro.

Misuari is facing charges for violation of the Philippine International Humanitarian Law, genocide, and other crimes in against humanity in connection with the three-week siege in Zamboanga City last September.

Misuari and 11 of his lieutenants, who masterminded the siege to stake his claim for independence, escaped and have remained at large while more than 200 others who joined the attack were captured.

There were earlier reports that Misuari was able to slip through the security forces' cordon in Mindanao and exited the country through the southern backdoor.

The MNLF leader reportedly traveled by sea and slipped into Southern Sulawesi in Indonesia before flying to the Middle East, where he was supposed meet his family.