Plea to allow OIC to take care of Misuari

A member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel has urged the government to let the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) take care of former Moro leader Nur Misuari.

Saying that Misuari's repatriation to Manila might have security implications which the government could not handle eventually, Prof. Michael Mastura told the government: "Let the OIC take care of Nur Misuari.

"Security-wise, it is not yet proper for the government to bat for his (Misuari) repatriation from Malaysia by January 15. After all, Misuari is not interested in coming home," he quipped.

Mastura, a luminary in Muslim affairs in the country, did not, however, identify the "security factor" of Misuari's repatriation. But he said Misuari is not a simple problem that the government can solve by his repatriation.

The Misuari case, he noted, was already in the hands of the OIC, which has submitted a resolution to the government regarding the matter.

In a televised report to the nation, President Arroyo said once Misuari is returned to the country he would immediately be arrested, detained and put on trial for the crime of rebellion.

The president also explained that her government was taking over responsibility from Malaysia, to relieve Malaysia of the "pressures" being exerted on Kuala Lumpur by Misuari's allies.

"But the question is, can they handle the possible security threat of Misuari's return?" Mastura asked.

The government is in a state of confusion as regards its handling of problems such as the Misuari case, he said. The government had originally been reluctant to accept Misuari back and had been delaying his return.

"Do you think the government is serious now in asking for Misuari to come back?" he asked.

"Let the OIC take care of him," he reiterated.

The OIC, he said, has a responsibility for Misuari's action.