Duterte meets Misuari over MNLF ‘ramblings’ — ex-Duterte top aide

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte met with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari in Malacañang on Monday night, his top aide said on Tuesday.

In a text message, former Special Assistant to the President and senatorial bet Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Duterte and Misuari had a “short talk.” But Go did not provide further details about the meeting.

The meeting came a few hours after Duterte revealed that there were “ramblings” happening within the rebel group amid reports that MNLF members were not happy with the composition of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that would govern a new government entity in Mindanao.

Speaking before barangay (village) officials in Pasay City, Duterte said he directed the state forces to ensure that Misuari would enjoy liberty, after the Moro leader decided to go out to talk to him.

“Sabi namin noon (We tell them earlier to) come and join. But Misuari is going out. and I have ordered the military and the police — kasi may kaso siya (because he’s facing charges) — allow him to [join the peace process]… He will come back,” Duterte said in his speech.

“Si Misuari is going out again and he has a case. Sabi ko hayaaan niyo (I said let him be),” the President added.

Duterte has repeatedly expressed his intention to talk to Misuari after the ratification of the landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law in a bid to forge a peace deal with the MNLF.

Misuari went into hiding following the 2013 Zamboanga siege, but has been granted temporary liberty by Duterte when he came to power in 2016.

The MNLF founder was ordered arrested for graft charges in September 2017, but also posted bail to enjoy temporary freedom.

Misuari led the siege in 2013 to protest the decision of the government of then president Benigno Aquino 3rd to hold talks with MNLF’s renegade group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Misuari faction of the MNLF accused the government of abrogating its agreements with the group when it held negotiations with the MILF which led to the creation of a new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.