Fake UN rep denies involvement in Zambo siege

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) presented to the court here Wednesday the suspect who allegedly misrepresented himself as a representative of the United Nations and was charged for his alleged involvement in the siege in this city more than two months ago.

Daniel Cruz, who is also known as Salahuddin Ibrahim Jaffam and Daniel Xavier was escorted by Senior Superintendent Cholijun Caduyac, CIDG 10 director, and the latter's men from Cagayan de Oro City to this city Wednesday morning.

The CIDG 10 and CIDG 9 under Senior Superintendent Edgar Danao presented Cruz to the city prosecutor’s office before  the suspected was committed to the jail here.

Cruz, who introduced himself as  Dr. Daniel Xavier and a UN representative to the  Nur Misuari faction of the  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was captured at  a bus terminal in Cagayan de Oro City p before dawn Monday while preparing to leave for Bukidnon province with his live-in partner.

Caduyac disclosed that prior to Cruz’ arrest, the suspect was monitored in the city by the CIDG and alerted their counterpart in Cagayan de Oro.

The CIDG operatives recovered from Cruz his fake UN diplomat identification card, permit to carry firearms card, and several automated teller machine (ATM) cards which the suspect allegedly used to fund the MNLF attempt to lay siege of the city.

The CIDG operatives also recovered from Cruz several USBs which contained his photos meeting with Misuari and Ustadz Habier Malik and other MNLF members and maps of the rebels' targets, including the transmitters of two  national television networks in the city and the villages of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara, according to Caduyac.

Cruz was charged by the CIDG here as one of those behind the MNLF rebels under the  Misuari faction  who participated in the attempt to take over Zamboanga City. Xavier was believed to have assured the rebels of the UN support once they declare their independence.

Cruz, Misuari and close to 300 MNLF rebels were charged with violations of international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity and rebellion.

Caduyac said that  aside from the rebellion and international humanitarian law violations, Cruz who is a native of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental is also facing a string of estafa and illegal possession of firearms cases.

During his commitment to the court, Cruz denied that he was involved in the standoff citing that he was in Talipao, Sulu since September 3.

Cruz said he was about to return to this city on September 9 but was stranded when all trips were cancelled as close to 500 MNLF rebels staged the attack in this city to claim independence.