Misuari believed to have fled to Malaysia: RP general

Misuari believed to have fled to Malaysia: RP general

Agence France-Presse, Zamboanga, Philippine

Moro leader Nur Misuari has reportedly fled to Malaysia and is
trying to reach Saudi Arabia after leading a bloody revolt in the
southern Philippines, the Filipino military chief said on
Thursday.

"We received reports from our intelligence operatives that Nur
Misuari fled to Sabah, Malaysia, going to the Middle East," Chief
of Staff General Diomedio Villanueva told reporters after
briefing the envoys of Islamic countries on the latest flare up
in the south.

"It's still subject to verification," he added.

But the Malaysian military denied Misuari was in its eastern
state and a spokesman said air force, navy and police patrols had
been increased.

Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who is also
foreign secretary, hurriedly left for Malaysia aboard a chartered
jet early on Thursday on an unscheduled visit.

Malaysia provided Misuari and his guerrillas with sanctuary
when they were fighting the Philippine government in the 1970s
but they have urged him to end the current rebellion.

Misuari, 60, was charged with rebellion and faces a 20-year
jail term if convicted.

"The recommendation of the judge in the case is that no bail
shall be given to Governor Nur Misuari," Interior Secretary Jose
Lina said.

As thousands of soldiers continued a manhunt for the former
separatist guerrilla leader, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
moved to reassure the world that the rebellion is a localized
problem.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo canceled her planned visit on
Friday to the troubled southern region, including Zamboanga city,
after advisers urged her to call it off for security reasons,
officials said.

Southern Philippines military chief Lieutenant General Roy
Cimatu cautioned that reports of Misuari's flight might be a ploy
to divert the attention of forces hunting for him on southern
Jolo island, where more than 100 people have died since the
rebellion began there on Monday.

"Our operations in (Jolo) will continue. We're hitting their
camps on the assumption that Misuari could still be there,"
Cimatu added.

"At least six camps have already been taken over" in the
municipalities of Patikul, Parang and Indanan in the interior of
the island, Cimatu told reporters.