97 MNLF men released from jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government troopers escorted 97 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to this city yesterday after a court ordered their release from a jail in Taguig.

The MNLF men, who were among more than 200 charged with rebellion and violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity in connection with the Zamboanga siege in 2013, arrived on a C-130 plane at the Edwin Andrews Air Base at around 9 a.m. 

Chief Inspector Shallemie Chang, Zamboanga City police spokesperson, said 45 of the freed MNLF men were brought to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and would be escorted to Basilan, 34 were flown to Jolo while 17 are still undergoing documentation at the Commission on Human Rights regional office in this city. 

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the city government was “saddened” by the release of the MILF members, but will continue to fight for justice.

Salazar said the release followed a plea bargaining agreement between the Department of Justice and the MNLF, which downgraded the charges against the accused from rebellion, which is punishable by life imprisonment, to illegal assembly with a prison term of only four years.

“I am still hoping that justice will be served for the victims of the Zamboanga siege and the remaining MNLF men... shall be held accountable for the crimes they committed,” she said.

The police and city government gave assurance that security measures are in place to monitor the freed MILF men.

The siege paralyzed this city for 21 days, displaced more than 120,000 residents and left more than 100 people dead.