PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman and founder Nur Misuari is willing to return to the peace negotiations with the government as he expressed that there is now a lull on all three fronts in the talks.
“We have established the modality of the talks and I would like to salute Murad of the MILF and Nur Misuari for expressing his intention to join us, maybe in one place or different settings, whatever it is, it is good for me as long as we talk,” Duterte said in his speech during the commemoration of the National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Duterte had earlier hinted that he is willing to give Misuari a safe conduct pass to join the peace talks under the proposed Bangsamoro enabling law, replacing the failed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
There is a warrant of arrest on Misuari over the MNLF’s 20-day siege in Zamboanga City in 2013.
Duterte also said he doesn’t want anything to happen to the Misuari as he may lose the chance to talk peace with the Moro group if anything happens to him.
The President said he is hopeful that a long-lasting peace can be finally achieved in Mindanao now that the government is in talks with the rebel groups—New People’s Army, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and MNLF.
“So now we have a lull in the three fronts that we really have been fighting ever since. We’re talking with the Communists now, maybe establish a modus vivendi somewhere with the MI and MN and let’s begin to talk about peace,” he said.
Also on Monday, Duterte expressed his disproval on the statements from the Communist Party of the Philippines which recently scored the military for allegedly militarizing communities.
The President insisted that soldiers have all the right to scout the whole land to protect communities from any threats, even if there is an indefinite ceasefire in effect.
