Cops to ignore arrest warrant for Misuari – Aguirre

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen and other law enforcers will have to ignore the warrant for the arrest of Moro National Liberal Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre ll has told congressmen.

Aguirre was asked what law enforcers would do if Misuari comes out of hiding and meets with President Duterte to talk peace.

He said the police and other agencies would have to respect Duterte’s order for them not to arrest the MNLF leader.

He said the presidential wish had been relayed to the judges handling the rebellion and other criminal cases filed against Misuari.

“It has also been communicated to the Supreme Court,” he said.

An unidentified Muslim rebel leader claimed Misuari would emerge from hiding if the arrest warrant is lifted.

During the House of Representatives hearing attended by Aguirre, Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat raised the issue on the death, mayhem, destruction and dislocation caused by the siege staged by Misuari’s MNLF faction in his city in September 2013.

“I am raising this issue because a Zamboanga City court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Misuari. I want to stress that I am not against the Duterte administration’s effort to forge peace with the MNLF, but we believe there cannot be peace without justice,” he said.

Aguirre said the Department of Justice could petition the judge who issued the warrant to recall it.

More than 200 persons, mostly Misuari armed followers, were killed during the siege, which also displaced thousands of families.