Graft charges are a conspiracy against me, Philippine rebel leader tells Arab News
DAVAO CITY, Philippines: Nur Misuari, founder and leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has rejected charges filed against him in a Philippine anti-graft court.
In his first interaction with the media since the charges were filed, he told Arab News the case was brought against him by people out to sabotage his participation in the Mindanao peace process between the government and Muslim separatists.
Misuari acquired bail on Tuesday for what he termed “trumped-up cases aimed at discrediting” him.
“The problem here is that some people play dirty. They know … we can probably conclude our talks with the government,” he said.
“Some of these people are still serving as tentacles of the former government of the Philippines.”
Misuari expressed optimism over the peace process under the current administration. “The president (Rodrigo Duterte), being from Mindanao, I think he understands us much better than the previous ones,” he said. “The other (administrations) were just pulling our legs.”
Misuari, saying he will complete half a century as a revolutionary on March 18 next year, added: “I told the president that I do hope before the end of this half-century, we can consolidate the (peace) agreement. Otherwise, we just have to continue. We cannot stop halfway through.”
At the outbreak of the siege of Marawi, Misuari said the MNLF was willing to deploy fighters against the Daesh-backed Maute Group, adding that it was an opportunity to help the government restore peace in Mindanao.