Misuari to be tried near Manila, court rules

Misuari to be tried near Manila, court rules

Agencies, Manila

Philippine Moro leader Nur Misuari, who is accused of inciting a short-lived but deadly rebellion in the south, will be tried in a town near a police prison south of Manila where he is being held, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

The high court was acting on a recommendation by the justice department that bringing Misuari back to his southern island stronghold of Jolo could pose security risks.

Misuari will be tried at a lower court in the town of Calamba south of Manila until "such a time that a temporary courtroom is provided within the premises" of the police camp where he is presently detained, the court said in a resolution. It also directed police to boost security at the prison to ensure the safety of residents in nearby villages.

Meanwhile, the United States flew in more troops and equipment to the southern Philippines on Thursday for joint military exercises aimed at battling Muslim insurgency.

The troops, wearing combat fatigues and some carrying assault rifles, arrived hours after eight Moro rebels were killed nearby in a clash with the local military.

The local military commander said two soldiers were wounded in Wednesday's clash on Basilan island with Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, a rebel group better known for its beheadings and kidnappings and which authorities have linked to Osama bin Laden.

Fighting continued on Thursday and the clashes are bound to raise fresh questions on the advisability of holding exercises with U.S. troops on Basilan and in the nearby city of Zamboanga.