“Until the end of the 40th CFM, neither Nur Misuari nor his representative appeared, a high ranking official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
“The wrong information given by the MNLF spokesperson is a strong indication that he (spokesperson/s) is simply shooting from the hips, and probably does not have direct contact with Misuari or his immediate circle,” the official said.
A hold-departure order has already been imposed in Misuari since September following the Zamboanga City siege of MNLF elements loyal to Misuari in September which led to the death of more than a hundred people. He has already been charged with rebellion and crimes against humanity.
Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, OIC Secretary-General, was also dismayed on the attack perpetuated by Misuari’s loyalists in Zamboanga City.
Ihsanoglu said that Misuari made a “wrong move” when he resorted to violence in trying to assert his cause, a source said.
According to the source, İhsanoğlu expressed his dismay during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the 40th Council of Foreign Ministers.
In its draft resolution, the OIC urged Ekmeleddin and its Peace Committee on Southern Philippines “to exert their efforts in order not to allow these unfortunate events to derail the peace process.”
The OIC expressed concern over the violence.
It also “calls upon member States and Islamic relief organizations to help generously in the efforts of relief and reconstruction operation in order to allow the quick return of the many thousand displaced people to their homes and to compensate the victims,” the resolution read.
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