Nur Misuari on the run, from government troops and his own angry rebels

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The hunt for wanted Moro National Liberation Front (MNL) founder  Nur Misuari,has intensified not  only by the Philippines  government troops but also by his own men, according to a military official.

Colonel Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said relatives and followers of Habier Malik, an MNLF commander, have been looking for Misuari.

Malik led the 20-day siege in Zamboanga City. Hundreds of MNLF forces arrived in the city on Sept. 9, claiming they were going to march and hold a rally in Plaza Pershing. Heavily armed, their presence caused panic among residents and sparked fighting with government troops.

After three weeks of fighting and with more than 110,000 people displaced, it was not clear if Malik escaped or was among the more than 160 MNLF fighters killed.

Misuari was silent and nowhere to be found throughout the standoff. Earlier reports said he was in Sulu.

Cenabre, however, said Misuari was no longer in the towns of Talipao and Panamao where he was earlier reported to be hiding.

“He is afraid of Malik’s followers,” Cenabre was quoted by the Philippines Inquirer.

Former Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison also admitted receiving reports that Malik’s men were hunting Misuari down.

“They are very angry at Misuari because Misuari told them that they would not stay too long in Zamboanga City and that the United Nations would come in and declare their independence),” Arbison said.

Sources in Sulu said there were reports circulating in the island province that Misuari had left for Indonesia via Tawi-Taw or via east coast of Sabah while other sources claimed Misuari has fled to the Middle East.

But Gen. Rey Ardo, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said that  they believed the Moro leader was still in Sulu. He, however, refused to give details.
Ardo said government troops were spread all over Sulu to locate Misuari and his followers. “We continue to watch out for him. We know that he is still in Sulu,” Ardo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

Ardo added that the military also received reports of “growing tension between Malik and Misuari” because of what happened in Zamboanga City.

Wherever Misuari is, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has said she will not be raising bounty to get the MNLF leader. “We can not contribute (for a bounty). We are looking for funds to rebuild and rehabilitate our city,” Climaco-Salazar said.

The mayor also called on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to immediately act on their request for the transfer of the more than 200 MNLF members arrested during the weeks-long fighting. She said the MNLF detainees should be transferred out of the city because of the “growing apprehension faced by our people if the trial is held here.” - ANN/ Philippine Inquirer