Government keeps eye on Nur

Malacañang has been keeping an eye on the activities of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari amid reports he has allegedly been trying to wrest back his leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita disclosed yesterday government authorities learned Misuari has been trying to rally his supporters and take back leadership of the MILF from the 15-man Executive Council.

Misuari earlier accused Malacañang of engineering the ouster and the installation of the 15-man MNLF Executive Council, headed by Presidential Assistant for Muslim Affairs Dr. Farrouk Hussein.

Ermita stressed, however, that Misuari remains true to his duties as a public official and has not done any overt acts that would prove he was really girding to stir destabilization in the area.

While Misuari travelled to Middle Eastern countries to complain against the government’s supposed violations of its 1996 peace agreement, Ermita said the new MNLF leadership has neutralized the disinformation before the Committee of the Eight of the Organization of Islamic Community (OIC).

Ermita disclosed that Hussein informed him that the council convened last week a Moro Congress in Jolo which most of their MNLF leaders and members attended to explain the new leadership set-up at the MNLF under the 15-man Executive Council.