On the death of Julhambri Misuari

(Published in Zamboanga Today on June 9, 2008.)

Julhambri Misuari, the man whom a good number of citizens
from Zamboanga wanted his blood for having led the rebel
forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at the
historic hostage-taking in Cabatangan, is now dead.
He finally succumbed to cardiac arrest, after having suffered
long from hypertension and related health complications.

Who wouldn't remember Julhambri Misuari? He was feared,
dreaded, and despised by his enemies, and many
peace-loving people. But his men also revered him and his
peers respected his authority as a true man of Islam who
was ready to fight for his cause to the death.

Nephew of MNLF founder and former chairman Nurulaji
Misuari, Julhambri in most of his years was a lead
sub-commander then later, commander of the MNLF
Combat Forces in Sulu, Basilan, and Zamboanga City, when

they occupied the old Palace in the Sky, more popularly
known as the old LTP Building--the very edifice that stood
decades ago majestically in hilly Cabatangan here in
Zamboanga City.

Yesterday, his body was buried in the quiet village in Sammut,
Tuburan, Basilan.

His death was a shakening news among MNLF Combat
Forces. Ustadz Jabier Malik, his comrade based in Sulu, has
reportedly been affected by the news, but is insistent that
he and many of their followers would continue to fight for
the cause of the Bangsa Moro.

This significantly marks as well a crumble in the hierarchy of
the MNLF Combat Forces, and the gradual death of the
so-called Misuari Breakaway Group, which was the tag
labeled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the time
when the November 2001 Cabatangan crisis occurred.

While the top brass in the Armed Forces of the Philippines
have been mum in passing comment on the report, a
number of citizens have blatantly expressed that this is
considered as a 'development' especially since some of the
residents in Pasonanca barangay, especially those whose
families have been taken as hostages, say that they had
been very angry to the military then for letting Misuari and
his men leave Zamboanga. At that time, many wanted
Misuari's blood.

His time had come. He had already led many
armed encounters in Sulu, and maybe, it is also time to heal
those wounds with forgiveness for the man who was once
considered an enemy of Zamboanga City. (Frencie L. Carreon)