Duterte to talk with Nur

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte reiterated on Tuesday that he will talk to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari to “craft something more expansive in his area,” recognizing that agreements with any revolutionary front should take place simultaneously.

The President made the pronouncement as the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) prepare for their oath-taking, following the successful ratification of the Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM).

“Nur, to his everlasting credit someday he would be recognized as one statesman above just being – or aside from being a revolutionary warrior. Until now, Nur has kept his silence and I have repeatedly stressed that there will be a time when he and I will talk and it should be soon,” Duterte said.

Duterte graced the ninth anniversary of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and 25th anniversary of the Brunei DarussalamIndonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area at the SMX Convention Center here.

He said dealing with several rebel fronts is one of the challenges he faces.

“And by the grace of Allah, we have reached the agreement desired by the Muslim Maguindanao leadership – Murad, Jaafar and company,” he said.

Duterte added he told the military that he cannot allow peace to move slowly, telling them that they have to work hard to achieve it in the remaining three years of his administration

“We have to work hard and I think it should be now – now is now – to talk… Because any other time would be good to talk to Nur Misuari and let us try to see if we can craft something more expansive in his area and giving concessions to the Moro which is really the correct thing and also reconfigure the territories,” Duterte said.