Duterte: 'Some arrangements' made to boost peace efforts

Manila - President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, February 26, that he had made "some arrangements" with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Nur Misuari in an effort to boost peace efforts in strife-torn Mindanao.

In a speech delivered in Manila, Duterte said he had yielded to Misuari's request to allow the latter first to travel abroad for pan-Islamic council summits before participating in peace dialogue with his administration.

This developed following Duterte's meeting with Misuari at Malacañan Palace on Monday night, February 25.

"So I had to make some arrangements. Sabi ko, this is a personal request of me, which I do not do at any time, at any other time. Sabi ko, ah palabasin ninyo. Sabi ko, for the sake of --- alam mo na because I still have to craft --- we in government," he said.

"So he went to see me last night and we… Whenever we see, we embrace each other because I consider him a brother. Tapos sabi niya, 'Papuntahin mo lang ako, babalik ako.' Sabi ko, 'Fine. You have done that several times, you can go.' So nag-courtesy call siya tapos umalis siya," he added.