Misuari willing to talk peace with gov’t anew – Duterte
President Duterte yesterday said he was elated that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair and founder Nur Misuari is willing to return to the peace negotiating table with the government.
In his message at the observance of National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City yesterday, Duterte thanked Misuari “for expressing his intention to join us, maybe in one place or different settings, whatever it is, it is good for me for as long as we talk.”
Duterte had earlier said he does not want the MNLF leader detained due to his age and physical condition, stressing that the country may lose its chance to talk peace with the Moro group if anything happens to Misuari while under government custody.
The President is also 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.
In a press conference here on August 9, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said that Mus Sema, a leader of an MNLF faction, signified interest to participate in the talks between MILF and the government by joining the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) as among the government appointees.
“This is part of our continued effort to reach out to all key players to work for sustainable peace with the Bangsamoro. We started off with the President approving the so-called Roadmap for Peace, and this will emphasize in the roadmap – convergence and inclusivity among Bangsamoro people,” Dureza added.
The government and MILF agreed to increase the membership of the BTC from 15 to 21 during the August 13 meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to ensure the inclusivity in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB).
At least 11 members, from eight, will be nominated by the MILF and 10 members, from seven, by the government.
Duterte said he appreciates the “men and women” who are behind the peace negotiations and hope this would result to a nation that is “really in peace and everything in order.”