Skip to main content /WORLD
CNN.com /WORLD
SERVICES
CNN TV
EDITIONS



Muslim rebels storm Philippine hall

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines -- Supporters of Muslim rebel chief Nur Misuari stormed a town hall in the Southern Philippine island of Jolo, military officials said.

The attack, which occurred late Wednesday, was carried out by some 30 supporters of the fallen governor, the military added.

The rebels sprayed the Panamao town hall with bullets, and looted nearby buildings.

But the attackers were immediately repulsed by local police and armed civilians. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The latest attack comes two weeks after the rebels abducted more than 80 civilians in the town of Zamboanga to escape heavy bombardment from the military.

An all-out offensive was launched against the rebels after they attacked a military post in Zamboanga in November to prevent a regional election in which their leader stands to lose.

Motive for the attack

Military officials downplayed the significance of Wednesday's attack.

"There might be some political reason in the attack, but it was not a determined attack but more of harassment," Brigadier General Glicerio Sua told Reuters news agency.

In the Philippine capital Manila, presidential national security adviser Roilo Golez said Malaysia could send Misuari home on or before December 24.

Misuari is detained in neighboring Malaysia for illegal entry but faces charges of rebellion at home.

"It is going to be on or before 24th of December. It could be the 24th," he said. "We started the protocols of transfer and this would be by way of notification that we are prepared."

Analysts believe that Misuari has become a liability to Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

Manila had reportedly requested Malaysia to hold on to Misuari, fearing of a hostile reaction by the Muslim minority in the country should he be incarcerated for charges of rebellion.

But Malaysia is also reportedly pressured to repatriate Misuari because of the negative sentiment the country would get from other Muslim countries for detaining a recognized Muslim leader.

Misuari, a former rebel chief, became the governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao after accepting a 1996 peace deal with the government.

He was eventually stripped off his power after he was accused of mismanaging million of funds allotted for the area.

Consequently, the government called for an election, which angered Misuari and led him to stage a failed uprising in Zamboanga.

Up to 200 people, mostly Misuari's followers, were killed in separate skirmishes in the area.



 
 
 
 


RELATED STORIES:
RELATED SITES:
See related sites about World
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

WORLD TOP STORIES:

 Search   

Back to the top