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COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/23 August)—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police command still has no solid evidence to back the sedition case it plans to slap against Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes, ARMM police director, admitted they are still gathering evidence against Misuari, who reportedly declared an independent state in Mindanao on August 12 that he called “Bangsamoro Republik.”
“Until now, we don’t have a hard evidence to link him, unless he himself will admit it,” delos Reyes said.
He added that police have yet to obtain the supposed interview showing Misuari declaring an independent state.
Delos Reyes earlier ordered the Sulu police office to gather evidences and prepare a sedition case against the former ARMM governor.
The ARMM police had sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 9 to help build the case against Misuari.
Once the police submit the case to the prosecutor’s office in Sulu, it is up to them to determine if there is prima facie evidence that will allow the filing of a formal case before the court, delos Reyes explained.
In a text message, MNLF secretary general Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim said that “to proclaim or assert our fundamental right or independence is not a crime if it is done peacefully.”
Delos Reyes said they are treating the reports of Misuari’s declaration of independence as all allegations “in the absence of tangible evidence.” (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)