Misuari's arrest will lead to peaceful polls: Arroyo
Misuari's arrest will lead to peaceful polls: Arroyo
Agencies, Zamboanga, Philippines
Key polls in a Moro self-rule area in the troubled southern Philippines should be peaceful after the arrest of renegade Moro leader Nur Misuari, President Gloria Arroyo said on Sunday.
Arroyo urged some 1.3 million eligible voters to cast their ballots on Monday to choose the new governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with military officials warning they would crush any attempt to disrupt the polls.
Philippine troops went on full alert on Sunday to repeal any violence by followers of a rebellious MNLF chief detained in Malaysia ahead of Monday's elections.
Misuari, wanted by the Philippines for allegedly spearheading a revolt that left more than 100 people dead last week, and six of his followers were arrested on Saturday off an island in Malaysia's Sabah state.
Arroyo told AFP in Manila by telephone that while the authorities were working closely to repatriate Misuari, she preferred him to languish in a Malaysian jail.
"With Misuari gone, I think the return to normalcy would be very rapid," Arroyo said, noting that his arrest would ease security fears among ARMM voters and encourage them to vote.
Misuari was the ARMM governor until his suspension last week following the attacks, and is expected to be charged with rebellion on his return home, a penalty punishable by a maximum 20-year jail term.
Misuari reportedly staged the revolt after Arroyo backed a rival faction in his Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for the ARMM governor's post. His rule has been marred by allegations of massive corruption and misuse of funds.
A total of 145 candidates are vying for 26 posts at stake, including 11 for governor.
While the foreign affairs and justice departments have been instructed to "work closely with the Malaysian government" for Misuari's repatriation to Manila, Arroyo said she personally preferred that Misuari be kept in a Malaysian jail.
"We will let Malaysia investigate him first for the violation of their own laws and charge him, dispose of him in accordance with their own laws," Arroyo said while visiting Quiapo district in Manila.
She said his arrest bolstered Malaysia and the Philippines' "determination to work on terrorism around our common borders and common seas".
Malaysia vowed on Sunday to send fugitive Misuari arrested in Malaysian territorial waters back to his country, but the timing and other details remained unclear.
In Kota Kinabalu, capital of Malaysia's northeastern state of Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi indicated Malaysia may not press illegal immigration charges, which could speed deportation.
"It may not be necessary, because we are going to send him back," Abdullah said.
"If he is kept in Malaysia, we will be accused of harboring him or even meddling in the internal affairs of the Philippines," he said.
Manila's national security adviser, Roilo Golez, said the government now considered Misuari a "terrorist" and that a probe was underway to determine his possible role in a kidnapping spree by Abu Sayyaf Moro rebels last year.
The Abu Sayyaf, a small group of self-styled Moro fighters with alleged links to Osama bin Laden, last year raided two Malaysian resorts and seized dozens of hostages who were later released reportedly in exchange for huge ransoms.
Military spokesman Brig.Gen. Edilberto Adan said Misuari forces in Jolo "provided sanctuary" to Abu Sayyaf gunmen.
Intelligence reports also indicated that speedboats used by the Abu Sayyaf during the raid were provided by a top Misuari aide, who along with other MNLF men allegedly received a share of the ransom money.