Pnoy: DOJ readying charges vs. Misuari, MNLF rebels in Zamboanga City standoff

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PinoyNews) – President  Aquino  declared here that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will file charges against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nurallaj Nur Misuari and his men in connection with the standoff in Zamboanga City that claimed the lives of at least 140 persons, most of them rebels and at least 18 of them are soldiers and policemen, and forced the evacuation of some 100,000 residents.

As the crisis entered its 16th day on Tuesday, the military killed five more rebels as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) members clashed with soldiers in Midsayap, North Cotabato and in Tulunan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Parang towns in Maguindanao.
Also on Tuesday,  an MNLF rebel commander and seven of his men surrendered as government forces continued to press on the rebels involved in the standoff.
At the same time, the government forces have safely recovered five hostages, who are all male adults.
Mr. Aquino flew back to Manila after supervising the military, police and civilian authorities in the fight against the MNLF rebels since he flew there on September 13.
Misuari, meanwhile, denied and disowned the acts of his trusted aide, Habier Malik, who led hundreds of MNLF rebels in what they called as their plan for a peaceful rally in the city to let residents know that Misuari and his group have proclaimed the independence of the Bangsa Moro Republic consisting of the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Palawan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sigubay, Zamboanga del Norte, and their component cities, including North Borneo or Sabah.
 Aquino disclosed Sunday that the government has witnesses who could testify that Misuari has a hand in the standoff that started last September 9. Misuari was reported to be holed in a Sulu town.
The DOJ, on orders of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, has sent a special team of prosecutors to Zamboanga City to file appropriate criminal cases against the rebels involved in the attack, including Misuari.
Earlier, Local Government Secreary Manuel Roxas II, said that cases to be filed against the rebels will include violation of Republic Act 9851, otherwise known as the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Roxas said that R.A. 9851 penalizes people who intentionally direct attacks against civilians, properties and people involved in humanitarian and peace keeping missions.