Misuari to seek OIC help on Sabah crisis; urges Aquino to resign

Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari

MANILA, Philippines—Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari said they will go to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to seek help in filing a case with the International Criminal Court for the continuous crackdown against the Sultan’s people in Sabah.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer Wednesday, Misuari said he believed that the Philippine government is now allying with Malaysia “in a joint action to massacre our people in Sabah.”

Currently, Misuari said there are about 1.5 million Tausug speaking people in Sabah.

At the same time, he called on President Benigno Aquino III and all government officials responsible in bungling the Sabah situation to resign.

“They are using their power as government officials to conspire with a foreign power against their own citizen and that is bad,” Misuari said.

Last Tuesday, Misuari criticized Aquino for siding with Malaysia. During the interview, he also denounced Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Del Rosario for agreeing to brand the Sultan’s army in Sabah as terrorists.

The DFA chief, however, denied the allegation.

“They are only carrying small firearm to protect themselves and here the Malaysian forces ordered airstrike against these people. That is our land in the first place,” he said pointing out that the land was under lease for 99 years.

The solution is not to use coercion but to encourage both parties to sit down, Misuari said. However, with Del Rosario assuring the Malaysian government that they will use the full force of the law is encouraging the conflict.

“Do not massacre your own people,” Misuari said.