Makati Court allows Misuari trip to Jolo to campaign and vote

By Ronron
May 9, 2007

The Makati City court hearing the rebellion case of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari granted the latter’s petition to go to Sulu to campaign and vote.

In a three-page order issued yesterday afternoon, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas said Misuari and his co-accused, Ustadz Abu Haris Usman, will leave on May 11 and come back to Manila on the 14th.

“This Court had previously allowed accused Nur Misuari to travel to Jolo to register as a voter, and later, to file his certificate of candidacy for provincial governor. It is but logical for this Court, to likewise allow him to cast his vote,” Dumayas said.

“This likewise goes true for accused Ustadz Abu Haris Usman. Since the prosecution is not interposing any objection to the instant motion, the Court finds no compelling reason to deny said request,” he added.

The order said Misuari and his escorts should leave Manila for Zamboanga City on the first available flight at 5 to 5:30 in the morning of May 11 and leave Zamboanga City for Jolo on the same date by the first available flight at 11 in the morning to 12 noon.

On May 14, they should leave Jolo for Zamboanga City immediately after the voting at 2 to 3 in the afternoon, and leave Zamboanga City for Manila on a 5 - 5:30 pm flight.

Misuari is a candidate for Sulu governor, while Usman is a mayoralty candidate in Jolo town.

The Court tasked the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force to provide the necessary security arrangements to the tandem.

“The final details of the itinerary of travel and security requirement shall be the responsibility of the PNP-SAF, particularly Police Chief Inspector Fernando Ortega, who shall be accountable to the Court for the faithful compliance of this order and safety of the two accused and their return to their place of detention in Quezon City,” the order reads.

The Court specifically ordered Ortega to submit his compliance report upon arrival in Quezon City on that day.

The two were charged with rebellion after allegedly leading an uprising in Jolo in November 2001 that claimed the lives of hundreds./DMS