MNLF: Nur to lead independence struggle in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari will come out and lead his supporters in pursuing their struggle for the independence of Mindanao, a spokesman of the group said yesterday.

“Chairman Misuari will come out anytime – like other revolutionaries in the world he cannot hide forever – and lead us in our political struggle,” MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said.

Cerveza, however, declined to elaborate on the move of Misuari but said there are only two possibilities that will occur once Misuari emerges from his mountain stronghold.

“One possibility is for Misuari to seek political asylum or, in a worst-case scenario, hostilities will again break out in Mindanao – it depends on the reaction of the government,” he said.

Top MNLF leaders from various provinces in Mindanao converged yesterday in preparation for the return of Misuari but Cerveza did not reveal when and where Misuari will make his appearance, which he said would be “a big event.”

According to Cerveza, Misuari has fully recovered from an illness after the Zamboanga siege in September last year.

Cerveza revealed Misuari has already appointed a top guerilla leader to succeed him in case of any eventuality.

Cerveza declined to identify the heir apparent, who he said should be kept secret to prevent possible “destabilization from the government.”

Misuari was among those charged for the Zamboanga siege where hundreds of his armed followers were sent to the city in a bid to raise their flag to declare independence from the government.

Hundreds of people have died and more than 10,000 homes were razed in the ensuing street battles in the city.

Cerveza said they are prepared to confront the obstacles of their political struggle for self rule.

He said the MNLF is pursuing its political objective peacefully and any outbreak of hostilities will not come from them.

“We always welcome peace but we are also prepared for war,” he said.

Misuari has declared independence with the  Bangsamoro Republik in August last year.

The declaration of independence was an offshoot of the proposal of the government peace panel to the OIC to terminate the review of the 1996 peace accord despite the three remaining unresolved issues in the final implementation of the peace accord.

Cerveza lamented the government has never made any attempt to reach out to Misuari because they considered him as a “spent force.”

The MNLF is pursuing the “Kosovo-style struggle” to attain the independence of Mindanao and the original plan is to submit a petition before the United Nations committee seeking recognition of the Bangsamoro Republik.