Duterte: What is wrong with talking to Misuari?

‘LONG-LOST BROTHERS.’ President Duterte and Nur Misuari embrace like “long-lost brothers.” The Moro rebel leader, who is accused of instigating the siege on Zamboanga City in 2013, vows to help bring peace to Mindanao and expose Malaysia’s part in the Abu Sayyaf’s kidnapping activities. —JOAN BONDOC

“What is wrong (with) talking to Misuari and embracing him?”

President Rodrigo Duterte had this to say to his critics following his meeting with former fugitive and Moro National Liberation Front founding chair Nur Misuari in Malacanang.

“We have been fighting for 40 years. Do you want another 40 years?” Duterte recalled telling Misuari.

On Thursday, Duterte met with Misuari after the MNLF leader emerged from hiding for three years.

Misuari has been charged with rebellion and crimes against humanity in connection with the 2013 Zamboanga City siege.

But the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 158 on Thursday granted the motion to suspend proceedings against him, thus the implementation of the arrest warrant was suspended.

“There is a pending warrant against Misuari which is lifted now upon my orders so we can talk,” Duterte said.

The President said if the peace talks with the rebels would fail, Misuari and the communists would go back to rebellion.

“As sure as the sun will rise in the east, babalik yung komunista. Nur will go back to the mountains, there is the looming threat of mindless violation, ISIS,” he said in his speech at the regional convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Manila on Friday.

“Sinabi ko sa kommunista and soldiers, we have been fighting the NPA (New Pewoples Army), do you want another 45 years, kayo gusto niyo?” he added.