MNLF hits ombudsman’s revival of Nur graft case

MANILA, Philippines – The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has scored the Office of the Ombudsman for reviving a 15-year-old graft complaint against its founding chairman Nur Misuari.

The MNLF, in its website, said the case against Misuari has been dismissed by former ombudsman Aniano Desierto.

The MNLF claimed the revival of the case came after President Duterte announced that he would issue safe conduct pass to Misuari for the resumption of stalled peace talks with the rebel group.

The MNLF hinted that the legal move of the Ombudsman could be part of an alleged plot to sabotage the peace effort of Duterte to end the secessionist rebellion in Mindanao.

The MNLF alleged the filing of graft case also happened after Misuari responded to the call of Duterte to assist in the release of foreign hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf.

The group said it was part of the destabilization campaign by the Liberal Party of former president Benigno Aquino III and defeated presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II that they said had “anti-poor and anti-Muslim attitude.”

Aside from the filing of graft case, the MNLF said there was a disinformation effort from some “unseen” groups that opposed Misuari’s proposal to include the Abu Sayyaf in the peace talks with the government.