DAVAO CITY – Former Moro rebels, whose leader is wanted on rebellion charges, have joined the search for 3 foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped by the notorious jihadist group Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines.
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said it is helping to locate Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Tess Flor who were abducted on September 21 from the upscale Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort on Samal Island off Davao del Norte province.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is helping in the search for the victims, has sought help from Nur Misuari, the MNLF chieftain, to locate the four. Duterte, citing an intelligence report, claimed that the victims are being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Duterte
Habib Mudjahab Hashim, of the MNLF, said Duterte and Misuari spoke on the phone. He said Duterte sought Misuari’s help in finding or helping in efforts to free the victims. He said Misuari, who is hiding out in Sulu, has ordered his leaders to search for the hostages.
“Mayor Duterte, I was informed, got in touch with brother Nur, and brother Nur is now convening his commanders in Sulu for whatever decisions that will be made, but indications are brother Nur will listen to Duterte. I think he will help in the possible safe release of the hostages,” Hashim said in a television interview. “We believe that Duterte, being a friend and a man of peace, I think he can do a lot, and it’s only him among the leaders of Mindanao that brother Nur would listen most.”
Misuari
Misuari is wanted for his alleged role in the September 2013 MNLF attacks in Zamboanga City that had displaced over 100,000 people. More than 200 people were killed in the siege launched by Misuari’s commanders disgruntled over the peace deal they signed with Manila, and the proposed new autonomous region which favor its rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
There was no official confirmation either from the military or police authorities that the hostages were taken to Sulu and no group has claimed responsibility for the daring abduction by 11 gunmen which occurred before midnight.
It was unknown how Misuari would convince or persuade the Abu Sayyaf – if the hostages are with them – to free the victims. Misuari has no influence over the Abu Sayyaf, which is fighting for a separate Islamic state in the restive region, and this was proven after he failed to secure the freedom of 21 mostly European holidaymakers and Malaysian resort workers kidnapped from Sabah’s Sipadan Island in 2000.
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur had sought Misuari’s help to free the hostages – who were taken by boat to Sulu – but the Abu Sayyaf had refused to release their captives, and instead sold their freedom to Libya and Malaysia for $21 million. And since then, Malaysia broke its ties with Misuari and ordered his arrest following another attack in Zamboanga City in 2001.
Misuari also earned the ire of the Malaysian government after he renewed calls of the claims of the Philippines to Sabah. In retaliation, then Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, furious over the rumblings from Misuari, has called for stricter laws on Filipinos traveling to the oil-rich state.
Sabah
Misuari said what Malaysia pays to the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is but a pittance. The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo lays claim to Sabah. The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.
The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu.
MNLF
The MNLF, under Misuari, signed the peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace accord, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the South and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
Misuari’s followers tried, but failed to overrun a major military base in Sulu in November 2001 and another group held hostage over 100 people in Zamboanga City in an attempt to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region. He fled to Sabah, his former refuge, but was arrested by Malaysian authorities and sent back to Manila. Misuari was eventually released from prison after pledging his support to then President Gloria Arroyo. (Mindanao Examiner)
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