Free Nur, OIC team urges

PANAMAO, Sulu — Saying that his contribution to peace in Mindanao is "essential and indispensable," an Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) mission assessing the progress of the 1996 peace pact urged the government to release Muslim leader Nur Misuari from detention.

"Chairman Nur Misuari should be released in order to be an active participant in the peace process," said Ambassador Sayed Al-Masry, head of the OIC contingent.

But Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the government will leave it to the courts to decide whether to free Misuari following the OIC mission’s appeal.

Bunye said the question of Misuari’s freedom was "exclusively within the sole prerogative and wisdom of the court trying his case."

Misuari is currently under house arrest in a Quezon City apartment while being tried on rebellion charges for allegedly leading a failed mutiny in Jolo, Sulu on Nov. 19, 2001.

The Makati regional trial court approved the house arrest due to Misuari’s medical condition. He was formerly detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

As founder and chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Misuari signed the Sept. 2, 1996 peace agreement which the OIC had brokered.

Misuari, as an administration candidate, was later elected governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The failed mutiny, which Misuari allegedly led, happened two weeks before the fourth ARMM elections which he feared would boot him out of power.

In a dialogue with MNLF leaders and members at the front’s Camp Jabbal-Khuda in the remote village of Bitan-ag here Saturday, Al-Masry said Misuari’s release could be a "catalyst" for lasting peace in Mindanao.

"We honestly believe that his contribution is essential and indispensable to the road to peace," said Al-Masry to the applause and chants of "Allah Akbar (God is greatest)" of the MNLF members.

Al-Masry said they hope that Misuari would lead the MNLF delegation during a tripartite meeting with the Philippine government and the OIC on the 1996 peace pact in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in July.

Bunye, however, said the government had already extended humanitarian treatment to Misuari in deference to the OIC and other advocates for peace in Mindanao.

"The rest is up to the independent judgment of the court," Bunye said in a statement.

Even in jail, Misuari remains an influential figure in local Islamic circles and has a large following in the South. The government has granted him concessions, including medical furloughs and mosque visits, concerned that any perception he is being treated badly could trigger fresh violence from his supporters.

Bunye assured the OIC that Misuari’s detention "should not be a hindrance" to the peace process, adding that the government was honoring the terms of the 1996 deal.

Meanwhile, the OIC mission also sought an indefinite suspension of military operations in areas covered by the 1996 peace pact. The military silenced its guns in Sulu for six days in deference to the OIC mission’s visit.

The 16-man OIC contingent also conducted a dialogue in Buwansa, Indanan town.

The OIC is assessing the implementation of the peace agreement also as part of the Philippine government’s bid for an "observer" status in the OIC, which is comprised of Muslim states, including Arab petroleum-exporting countries.

Although the government’s chances of attaining observer status are "good," Al-Masry said it would still depend on the criteria which the foreign ministers of OIC member-countries would agree on. — With Paolo Romero, Edith Regalado and AFP