President Duterte invites MNLF Chair Nur Misuari after suspension of arrest warrant to give way to peace talks.
“He has obliged. We are very grateful. Secretary Dureza did all the leg work and all. He was able to pave the way to Chairman Nur to come here I said upon my invitation.”
Nur Misuari, along with some MNLF commanders, has a pending warrant of arrest for a rebellion case related to 2013 Zamboanga siege. He was on the run since then until the court has suspended the warrant of arrest recently.
“There is a pending warrant which is lifted now so that we can talk. And I would like to assure Brother Nur that there was no intention of depriving you of liberty,” President Duterte said.
The court’s suspension of the proceedings of the pending criminal cases in the Pasig court and the suspension of the effect of the warrants of arrest is for Nur Misuari is good for six months.
Nur Misuari is thankful to the President for the suspension of the warrants of arrest as well as for his invitation for him to talk in front of the media.
“I came here just to see the president. Not thinking that I would be having this pres conference… Now I came here foremost in my mind is how can we help the president finish thru to the end of his six because I know for a fact that he will not abandon his place for the people.” Nur Misuari said.
It is recalled that the court has issued warrants of arrests for Nur Misuari and three other MNLF commanders after the 2013 Zamboanga siege where over 200 people died. More than 100,000 residents flew the area. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a case against Misuari and 60 others for rebellion and for violation of international humanitarian law.
Some residents who were affected by the 2013 Zamboanga siege do not agree with the decision of the government to suspend the warrants of arrest against Misuari.
