Zamboanga City firm on pursuing cases over 2013 siege

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The city government is firm in pursuing cases against fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari and more than 200 other followers believed involved in the bloody siege here more than two years ago.

 

The city government announced its stand in response to statements by incoming president and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the campaign period that he was going to grant Misuari immunity from suit.

 

“At this point in time, it’s too premature to react on the matter. We will wait until the (incoming) president officially assumes office and make such [a] declaration,” caretaker Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde said in statement provided by the public information office (PIO) here.

 

However, Iturralde said the city government will stand by it position “for justice to take its course.”

 

More than 30 people, including police officers, soldiers and civilians were killed in the September 2013 siege, where 200 rebels also died.

 

The attack displaced more than 120,000 people and close to 4,000 families have yet to return to their homes after destruction in four barangays there.

 

“We will fight until justice is served to the people of Zamboanga,” Iturralde said.

 

The city government filed rebellion and violation of humanitarian law against Misuari, who remains at large, and about 200 others who have been captured and are now detained in Taguig, Manila.

 

The city government turned down plea bargaining to a lesser crime.