Suspected fake UN representative arrested

MANILA, Philippines— A suspected fake United Nations representative was arrested Tuesday in Cagayan de Oro City.

Police Regional Office chief inspector Ariel Huesca said joint police and military operatives captured Daniel Cruz Xavier, the man who allegedly claimed to be an envoy, assuring MNLF leader Nur Misuari that UN supports their move to declare independence in some Mindanao provinces.

Xavier, also known as Salahudin Ibrahim Jaffam, was arrested by the authorities at a bus terminal in Bulua Village, Cagayan de Oro city early Tuesday at around 3:30 a.m.

In a separate report by Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division, spokesman Captain Christian Uy said Xavier was personally introduced by Misuari during different gatherings in Sulu before the Zamboanga siege.

Uy said the suspect was “involved in the Zamboanga incident where several hundreds died and paralyzed the economic activity of the city.”

According to Huesca, the suspect is currently under the custody of the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit Region 10 office for proper documentation.

The police has filed charges of rebellion and violation of the international humanitarian law against Xavier along with other MNLF members, including Misuari, in connection with the 21-day bloody siege in Zamboanga city last September.

Included in his recovered possession were his several fake identification cards as a UN representative and as a diplomat aide from the US embassy, US Navy (seal) ID, among others.

Last July, the UN warned the public against Xavier after he falsely represented the council and “engage with various persons and agencies in Mindanao.”

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Mujiv Hataman said in a television interview on September 23 that Xavier was claiming that he was sent by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

 Originally posted at 3:31 pm | Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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