ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 21, 2013) – A respected Muslim lawyer and a top-notch legislator of Zamboanga City, Melchor Rey Sadain, has advised former Moro rebel chieftain Nur Misuari to give peace a chance.
Misuari, who heads the Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in 1996, has accused the Aquino government of failing to honor the provisions of the accord. The former Libyan firebrand was reported to have declared independence in Mindanao with his as president of the so-called Bangsamoro Republik.
Sadain said Misuari, who has a house in Zamboanga City, may have been misguided when he declared independence. The politician said Misuari was not abandoned by the government in his quest for peace in the southern Philippines.
After Misuari signed the peace accord with Manila, he became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region which covers the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao.
“He was given a chance when he was governor of the Muslim autonomous region, but unfortunately he squandered such opportunity. The better option now for Misuari is for him to support the current peace initiative (of the national government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front) by coming up with one voice and join the march towards attaining a long and lasting peace in Mindanao,” Sadain said.
The lawyer said Misuari should shun from further sowing more fears, confusions and add to the chaos on the already troubled Mindanao reeling in other major woes like poverty, criminality, power crisis and calamities.
“How could he ever declare independence in Mindanao when he even requested authorities to provide him security in his desire to come back here (in Zamboanga City,” Sadain said. (Jun Feliciano)
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