Friday, October 19, 2007

Misuari's close aide with buddy killed In Sulu

Unidentified armed men shot dead a close aide of jailed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari in an ambush in Indanan, Sulu on Friday morning.

Reports reaching Zamboanga Southwall said Abdurahman Jamasali, a spokesperson of Misuari, together with an unidentified companion were shot at Barangay Buanza around 6:30 a.m.


It was not clear how the crime committed. But one report said that Jamasali and his companion were walking along Buanza road when ambushed. Another information said the two were riding when attacked by gunmen.


Sulu provincial police chief Ahiron Ajirim was quoted by national media as saying that they are still investigating the incident and who is behind the ambush. "We have yet determine the motive for the attack."


Indanan, where the killing of Jamasali occured, is a known stronghold of the MNLF.


Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major General Mohammand Dolorfino said the death of Jamasali was a big lost to the peace efforts with MNLF in Sulu.


"He is a big lost to our peace efforts in Sulu but I'm sure somebody will replace him," Dolorfino said in an interview over a Zamboanga-based regional television station.


Jamasali helped in the negotiation for the release of General Dolorfino and a top Defense official who were held hostage by a group of rogue MNLF rebels led by Habier Malik early this year in Sulu.


In the last May elections this year, Jamasali, also a former Interior Local Government secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), ran for congress of the 1st District of Sulu but lost in his bid.


He had frequently defended Misuari's actions and had assailed the peace agreement signed between the Philippine Govenment and the MNLF in Septemebr 2, 1996. He had also actively helped in negotiations to free 21 hostages seized by Abu Sayyaf from the Sipadan island in Malaysia and taken to Sulu sometime in 2000.

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