Misuari believed to have fled to Malaysia: RP general<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Zamboanga, Philippine<\/p>\n
Moro leader Nur Misuari has reportedly fled to Malaysia and is
\ntrying to reach Saudi Arabia after leading a bloody revolt in the
\nsouthern Philippines, the Filipino military chief said on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
"We received reports from our intelligence operatives that Nur
\nMisuari fled to Sabah, Malaysia, going to the Middle East," Chief
\nof Staff General Diomedio Villanueva told reporters after
\nbriefing the envoys of Islamic countries on the latest flare up
\nin the south.<\/p>\n
"It's still subject to verification," he added.<\/p>\n
But the Malaysian military denied Misuari was in its eastern
\nstate and a spokesman said air force, navy and police patrols had
\nbeen increased.<\/p>\n
Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who is also
\nforeign secretary, hurriedly left for Malaysia aboard a chartered
\njet early on Thursday on an unscheduled visit.<\/p>\n
Malaysia provided Misuari and his guerrillas with sanctuary
\nwhen they were fighting the Philippine government in the 1970s
\nbut they have urged him to end the current rebellion.<\/p>\n
Misuari, 60, was charged with rebellion and faces a 20-year
\njail term if convicted.<\/p>\n
"The recommendation of the judge in the case is that no bail
\nshall be given to Governor Nur Misuari," Interior Secretary Jose
\nLina said.<\/p>\n
As thousands of soldiers continued a manhunt for the former
\nseparatist guerrilla leader, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
\nmoved to reassure the world that the rebellion is a localized
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Arroyo canceled her planned visit on
\nFriday to the troubled southern region, including Zamboanga city,
\nafter advisers urged her to call it off for security reasons,
\nofficials said.<\/p>\n
Southern Philippines military chief Lieutenant General Roy
\nCimatu cautioned that reports of Misuari's flight might be a ploy
\nto divert the attention of forces hunting for him on southern
\nJolo island, where more than 100 people have died since the
\nrebellion began there on Monday.<\/p>\n
"Our operations in (Jolo) will continue. We're hitting their
\ncamps on the assumption that Misuari could still be there,"
\nCimatu added.<\/p>\n
"At least six camps have already been taken over" in the
\nmunicipalities of Patikul, Parang and Indanan in the interior of
\nthe island, Cimatu told reporters.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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