Philippines on trial - former MNLF chief

A defiant Nur Misuari, former Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor, said yesterday that the Philippines was as much on trial as he when police brought him out in public for the first time since jailing him over three months ago.

The renegade chief of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was under heavy guard when he appeared for his arraignment on rebellion charges in a court specially built inside a police camp in Santa Rosa town, 50 km south of Manila.

The arraignment, or the formal reading of the indictment, has been re-set to May 15. Misuari was head of the MNLF which forged a pro-autonomy peace settlement with the government in 1996.

"I am not the only one on trial here but also the government and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)," said Misuari who was wearing a black suit and appeared thinner than usual. The OIC brokered the Manila-MNLF peace talks from 1992 to 1996.

"The government and the OIC are on trial because of the failure of the peace accord (between the MNLF and the government in 1996)," Misuari told reporters, the first chance he had had to talk to them since he was incarcerated on January 7, at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, southern Luzon.

"This is a win-win case for us and a lose-lose case on the part of the government," said Misuari. "I don't know what will happen. I leave everything in the hands of God."

Misuari is accused of inciting his followers to launch a failed rebellion in the southern Philipp-ines last November. Nearly 200 were killed in the uprising.

He is also blamed for the armed attack in front of the Air Force headquarters, which led to a brief hostage taking of 130 villagers in Zamboanga City on November 27.

Misuari did not comment when asked about his six companions who were handcuffed when brought to the court. They came from Camp Bagong Diwa in southern suburban Taguig where they have been incarcerated since January.

Misuari made the statements after the court allowed him to be seen by the media when he entered the courtroom around 9.20 am.

Judge Norberto Geraldez who presided over the specially erected court near Misuari's detention cell said the deferment was due to the pending resolution at the Supreme Court for Misuari's motion calling for reconsideration of the trial venue's transfer from Laguna to his hometown in Jolo, Sulu.

Misuari's lawyer, Salvador Panelo, said the venue of the trial should be in Jolo and nowhere else. "The trial should not begin unless the Supreme Court decides with finality where it should be conducted. Let's not give (the trial) an appearance of impropriety of any form," argued lawyer Arthur Lim.

Geraldez granted the request of Misuari for conjugal visits by his two wives. The court also allowed Misuari's lawyers to have 24-hour access to the accused.

Geraldez directed the prosecutors, led by Chief State Prosecutor, Jovencito Zuno, to comment on Misuari's request for a laptop inside his cell.

"While in jail, I am going to write a book on the fate of the Filipino Muslims in Mindanao," Misuari said while reiterating his request for a laptop in his cell.

But Justice Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee said the court does not usually grant requests for electronic gadgets for those who are imprisoned.

Defence lawyers and Muslim religious advisers accompanied Misuari during the trial.

One of Misuari's lawyers, Doligdig Sumndad, said the government is just wasting its time and resources in prosecuting Misuari because his client is already 65 years old and is eligible for pardon when he reaches 70.

"Should he be convicted he will spend only five years in jail. If he reaches 70, he shall be pardoned. Why shouldn't we just forgive him in the same way as the government has done to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman, Hashim Salamat?" he asked.

As early as six yesterday morning, policemen were deployed at strategic points near the fort. Two fire-trucks were also stationed at the fort to serve as a blockade to Misuari's supporters who were expected to stage a protest rally.

Misuari and his spiritual adviser, Abu Harris Usmon, are detained at Fort Sto. Domingo.

Newly elected ARMM governor, Parouk Hussin ousted Misuari as MNLF chairman in April, 2001. This led to the creation of several factions in the MNLF. Misuari was arrested for illegal entry in Sabah, Malaysia, last November 23. He was sent back to Manila in January.