By Perfecto Raymundo
MANILA, (PNA) — The Dept. of Justice is confident the charges it filed against Moro National Liberation Front founding chair Nurallaji “Nur” Misuari in connection with the siege on Zamboanga City will prosper.
In an ambush interview Wednesday, Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said the DOJ obtained testimonies from witnesses “with personal knowledge” about Misuari’s alleged participation in the siege that left at least 200 dead.
The separate cases, among them, rebellion, were filed against Misuari, MNLF commander Habier Malik, and scores of the group’s fighters.
“Yan, precisely, ang instructions ng Pangulo: siguraduhin namin ng prosecutors na malakas ang kaso… kasi yung mga dating kinasangkutan ni Nur Misuari — yung 2000 incident dun sa Sulu ay na-acquit siya,” De Lima said.
“In 2009, he was acquitted by an RTC Manila for insufficiency of evidence… apat lang na witness pinresent nun and wala pang personal knowledge,” she added.
De Lima, who personally went to Zamboanga over the weekend to oversee final preparations for the filing on Monday of charges against Misuari’s group, said the cases are strong.
“It’s a strong case. Marami ho kaming witnesses nakalista dyan sa mga informations, hindi pa nga lahat nakalista… may mga nag-execute ng affidavits… May personal knowledge kung ano sinabi ni Nur Misuari,” De Lima said.
“Nakakuha rin ng extra-judicial confessions from certain detainees, participants, in the siege,” she added.
The DOJ recommended no bail on the charge of rebellion against Misuari, Malik and several other MNLF leaders.
A P200,000 bond was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused followers.