Former Sulu Vice Governor, Madji Munib Estino, said he was not in hiding and had no reason to hide.

Estino denied intelligence reports that Nur Misuari, outgoing governor of Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, had appointed him chief of staff of the renegade Moro National Liberation Front force that attacked security areas and killed 113 people in Jolo on November 19.

Estino admitted that he had met Misuari a day after the Bangsamoro Congress in Silangkan, on November 3. At that time, Misuari reportedly asked Estino, "What do you think will be our people's reaction if trouble erupts?"

"I told him our people, especially those in Sulu, will experience hardship if there is trouble," recalled Estino.

At the same time, Estino said he got reports from the field, saying the November 19 attack in Jolo was "not Misuari's handiwork". He refused to give more details.

Estino showed ferry tickets bearing his name to prove he was in Zamboanga City at the time of the attack on November 19. He also showed a mission order from the Zamboanga police issued November 19. He said he would present a dental record to support his claims that he was not part of the attack in Jolo.

Estino was instrumental for the release of a number of foreigners and Filipinos who were held hostage since 1992.

These included the Spanish nuns in 1992, and the two crew members of a television network who were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu last year.

Estino was the pointsman who worked for the release of American hostage Jeffrey Schilling from the Abu Sayyaf Group in Jolo last March this year.