Monday, April 7, 2003

Immunity for MILF heads under study

By Teresa Torres, Reporter

Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders who have warrants of arrest issued against them have nothing to fear from the police if Malacañang approves a proposal to grant them temporary immunity.

Norberto Gonzales, presidential adviser on special concerns, said yesterday that the government was studying the possibility of granting MILF members immunity from arrest to make sure the Mindanao peace talks pushes through.

Gonzales said the MILF leaders need immunity because it was possible they were not responsible for the atrocities in Mindanao. “What if they are really innocent?” said Gonzales.

Several MILF leaders including MILF chairman al-Hadj Murad are wanted by the police after the Zamboanga Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against him. He is wanted for his suspected involvement in the explosion in Zamboanga that killed two Filipinos and an American soldier.

Gonzales, however, assured that the judicial process would continue against the MILF members even if they were granted immunity.

Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on Mindanao affairs, agreed with Gonzales, saying the presence of the arrest warrants should not be compromised even with the ongoing peace talks.

He admitted though that the MILF told government negotiators in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that the arrest warrants were among those hindering the continuation of the peace talks.

Dureza suggested that the MILF send representatives instead while the courts determine whether those with pending warrants should be held liable for the attacks on government troops and civilians in Mindanao.

MILF members who will participate in the peace talks will be issued a special identification card, he added.

“These IDs are signed by both the government and the MILF panel. The bearer of the card shall be accorded safety guarantee under the cease-fire agreement that we signed,” Dureza said.