Zamboanga on 'wait and see' mode over safe conduct pass for Nur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The Zamboanga City government said it will stand by its residents in calling for justice over the bloody siege of the city in 2013.

 

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar made the statement in response to an announcement by President Rodrigo Duterte that he will give a safe conduct pass for Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari, whose faction of the MNLF was involved in the siege.

 

Salazar said the city government will wait to see if the national government to issue Misuari the safe conduct pass.

 

Duterte, in a press briefing on Monday, said he is scheduled to meet with Misuari in Sulu and has ordered the military and police to allow the fugitive and his followers to come out once the safe conduct passes are issued.

 

Misuari, who has been in hiding in his enclave in Indanan, Sulu, is wanted and has a standing arrest warrant for rebellion, violation of the International Humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity.

 

The city government tagged Misuari “as the brains behind the 2013 Zamboanga siege.”

 

Around 200 suspected Misuari followers who were captured inside the battle zone are detained in Taguig while the cases against them are being tried.

 

Salazar said the city’s legal team will peruse whatever order will be issued regarding the supposed safe conduct pass.

 

However, she stressed: “we are also with the people in our struggle and our aspirations for justice following the siege.”

 

She added that she brought Misuari up during Duterte’s brief stopover in the city on July 21. Salazar said she also conveyed to the president the feelings and sentiments of thousands who were affected by the three-week siege.