ARMM execs brace for Nur’s reprisal

COTABATO CITY — Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are bracing for their possible "termination en masse" by Gov. Nur Misuari, who is now back from abroad, for their recognition of the so-called "Council of 15" as the new central leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Alfatah Abubakar, ARMM science and technology secretary, however, said they are still hoping that Misuari will not retaliate since the council’s takeover of the MNLF leadership last month was purely an internal affair of the front.

"He is still our regional governor and still enjoy our respect as chief executive of the ARMM. In the case of the ARMM, we are cognizant that we can change the regional leadership through the elections," said Abubakar, a key MNLF official.

Highly placed sources from Misuari’s office here confirmed that Misuari arrived in Manila yesterday from a three-week overseas trip.

They said Misuari is now plotting the ouster of all regional officials who no longer recognize him as MNLF chairman.

Cotabato City mayor-elect Datu Muslimin Sema, the MNLF secretary-general, said there is no reason for Misuari to feel bad about the change in the front’s leadership because his followers still recognize him as their chairman emeritus.

"We just want reforms in the MNLF. We still respect Chairman Misuari as its pioneer leader," Sema said.

The Council of 15, composed of senior MNLF members, including Sema and Abubakar, unseated Misuari as chairman last April 29 due to loss of trust and confidence.

Sixty-seven more MNLF leaders, including 16 state chairmen of the front from different regions in the South, pledged support for the council in an assembly here last Sunday.

Among those present in the gathering were Sulu Gov. Yusoph Jikiri, the MNLF chief-of-staff; and Abdul Sahrin, a foreign-trained commander of the front’s Bangsamoro Army.

Employees of Misuari’s office said they are apprehensive that the governor might bent his ire on regional secretaries who belong to the MNLF, and freeze their salaries and operating expenses.

"That is possible. Until now, Gov. Misuari still refuse to accede to the authority of the new council running the affairs of the front," said a technical staffer.

Jikiri, who will take his oath as the new Sulu governor on June 30, said he is also bracing for "pressures" Misuari, as ARMM governor, can exert on the provincial government he is to manage soon. He did not elaborate.