Makati court allows Misuari’s Saudi trip

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has allowed former Autonomous Regional in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) honorary chairman Nur Misuari and his spiritual adviser Ustadj Abu Haris Usman to leave for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and attend the tripartite peace talks that will be held from July 17 to 19 this year.

In a three-page order issued yesterday, Makati RTC Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas allowed Misuari and Usman to leave their detention in New Manila on July 16 for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

However, she said Misuari and Usman can only leave if the prosecution or defense panel submits a sovereign guarantee from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that “assures compliance with the court order.”

The tripartite peace talks to be conducted by the panelists from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Philippine government and the MNLF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is aimed at reviewing the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.

Dumayas also ordered the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force to provide security for Misuari and Usman from their place of detention in New Manila to the airport. The number of personnel will be determined by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

She said the purpose of Misuari’s trip is to attend the tripartite meeting and “not for any other political purpose.”

Dumayas also said Misuari and Usman, “in accordance with their religious traditions, may be allowed to perform the umrra (pilgrimage) at the holy mosque in.. Mekkah Al-Mukarramah provided that it is done within the scheduled dates and prior to their return to the Philippines” not later than July 21. – Jose Rodel Clapano