Duterte meets with Nur Misuari to boost peace efforts

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports of discontent among members of the Moro National Liberation Front, President Duterte met late Monday with MNLF chairman Nur Misuari at Malacañang to boost peace efforts in Mindanao after the assumption of officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President’s meeting with Misuari lasted about 15 minutes and there was no discussion on the alleged rumblings within the MNLF regarding the unequal distribution of slots in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

What they discussed was the need to shift to a federal form of government, Panelo said.

“They’re going to meet again. What transpired (Monday) night was the President told the (MNLF) chairman that he admired his patience and apologized for not having implemented or enforced whatever agreements that they had previously, I think with respect to federalism or something,” Panelo said at a press briefing yesterday.

Panelo echoed the statements of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. that there is equitable distribution of posts at the BTA.

“Well for one, if the MNLF was complaining about it, the chairman did not mention it. Number two, per General Galvez, there has been equitable distribution or representation on that authority,” Panelo said.

In a speech last Monday, Duterte mentioned some “rumblings” within the ranks of the MNLF on the composition of the BTA.

“There are rumblings about the MNLF. I told them come and join, but Misuari is gnawing out and I have ordered the military and police (to allow him), he will come back,” he said.

Senatorial candidate and former presidential assistant Christopher Go revealed Misuari sought to talk with the President regarding his trip abroad to attend a peace summit in Abu Dhabi.

Misuari was hesitant to attend the summit because he is facing charges before the Sandiganbayan.

“They just had an open conversation. He just bid farewell before he will leave for Abu Dhabi,” Go said.

Misuari underwent conditional arraignment before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division for him to be able to travel to Abu Dhabi for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit, and later to Morocco for the Parliamentary Union of the OIC member states.?The Sandiganbayan yesterday allowed Misuari to post bail on charges of graft and malversation of public funds.

The anti-graft court took notice of Misuari’s role in the government’s efforts to achieve peace in Mindanao.

He was conditionally arraigned before the anti-graft court’s Third Division in exchange for travel clearance to the United Arab Emirates and Morocco from Feb. 26 to March 20.

Misuari, who went into hiding since the 2013 Zamboanga city siege led by his troops but was later granted temporary freedom, had been in talks with Duterte following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that replaced the ARMM with the BARMM.

Misuari opposed the holding of the plebiscite in favor of the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front, while batting for a federal system of government that will give more autonomy for the Muslim populated region. – With Michael Punongbayan, Marc Jason Cayabyab?