Courthouse for Nur trial nears completion

Nur Misuari’s special courthouse, which is being constructed near his jail house at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is nearing completion and will be operational next week.

Chief Superintendent Edmund Dizon, Philippine National Police chief of engineers, told The STAR they are putting the finishing touches on the P2.9-million structure where Misuari’s arraignment and trial for rebellion will be held.

"Construction is expected to be completed anytime next week," said Dizon.

The special courthouse consists of a main courtroom, a chamber for the presiding judge, a room for court employees, and rooms especially allotted for prosecution and defense lawyers and their witnesses.

Since his repatriation from Malaysia on Jan. 7, Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has been detained on rebellion charges at Fort Sto. Domingo, the training and seminar facility of the PNP’s fighting unit, the Special Action Force (SAF).

Misuari occupies the bungalow-type jail house, which was originally intended as a detention place for deposed President Joseph Estrada and his son, former San Juan Mayor Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada.

Misuari’s jail house lies adjacent to the courthouse where his fate will be decided.

In a related development, Camp Crame insiders claim they have an airtight case against the former ARMM governor, as they advised Misuari’s lawyers to brace themselves for a legal battle.

They said they have under their custody several vital witnesses who will pin down Misuari for ordering the Sulu-based Moro National Liberation Front commanders to launch an attack on government targets, including an Army headquarters, in Jolo, Sulu last Nov. 19.