Rebellion and human rights violation raps were brought against Ustadz Khabier Malik, the leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction that besieged Zamboanga City last September 9, and 28 others.
Officials from the regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the charges, which used confessions from other MNLF rebels as evidence, were filed to the Zamboanga Prosecutor’s Office Friday.
President Benigno Aquino III has also ordered an investigation into who were supplying the rebels with ammunition.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, “We know that the President has ordered an investigation into the incident.”
Pres. Aquino also said he wanted charges against MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, whose involvement in the siege he says was becoming clearer with recent evidence and with Misuari’s cancellation of a meeting in Indonesia for a review of the final peace agreement with the Philippine government.
Valte said the government is focused on driving out rebels to ensure civilian safety and reestablish normalcy in the city.
“We will see in the investigation if the (MNLF) forces received help from other people or other groups,” she said.
CIDG Director Francisco Uyami said the charges filed Friday were only the first batch of respondents.
He assured that Misuari will be among those charged in the coming days pending further investigation.
Government forces have currently isolated the rebels in a small pocket of land along the Zamboanga coast.
Pres. Aquino gave the rebels and ultimatum, saying ““It is not too late to end this, so we can put a stop to the deaths and injuries. That is in your hands.”
A sulu-based professor said Malik has sent instructions to his men via text, saying they will not withdraw and “make Zamboanga their graveyard” as lives lost in the conflict were their responsibility and they would pay it with their own.
More than 100,000 people have been displaced by the siege.
(with reports from inquirer.net and philstar.com)