MANILA, Philippines—Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Nur Misuari will run for governor of his home province of Sulu under presidential aspirant Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva's party, Bangon Pilipinas.
“Brother Eddie and Bangon Pilipinas will solve our lingering problems in Mindanao,” Misuari said in a joint news conference with Villanueva on Tuesday.
Misuari still faces rebellion charges after his forces attacked a military camp in Sulu in 2001 in an attempt to stop the elections in the ARMM when he was then governor.
The attack left more than 100 people dead and scores wounded.
Misuari escaped by boat to Malaysia but was eventually arrested and deported to the Philippines. He was detained and later placed under house arrest. He was granted bail only last year.
Misuari became ARMM chairman when the Moro National Liberation Front which he used to lead ended its separatist rebellion and signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996.
Villanueva, who is making a second go for the presidency— this time with a running mate, Perfecto Yasay and five senatorial candidates—said their alliance with Misuari's group consolidated their party's support from Muslim Mindanao.
“We see hope for the country in this recent development, not only that Muslims and Christians unite for a common cause but also the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front see a common ground to finally achieve the elusive reconciliation, peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.
Misuari said his slate includes Sodesta Abdujuarak for Sulu vice governor; Samsula Adju for representative of Sulu's first district; and Ahmad Jinnul as representative of Sulu's second district.
Asked how he would have handled the Maguindanao massacre if he had still been the ARMM governor, Misuari gave an indirect reply.
“If we want to stop the crisis situation in Mindanao including the crisis in Maguindanao, we should expedite the implementation of the (1996) peace agreement. There will be a de facto ceasefire,” he said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net
