Duterte praying Misuari will be ‘enlightened’ to settle issues with MNLF

This file photo, taken on Aug 3, 2017, shows President Rodrigo Duterte welcoming Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari during a meeting at the Malacañan Palace. (Photo by ACE MORANDANTE / Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte is praying for the “enlightenment” of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari to further boost peace efforts in Mindanao.

Speaking before newly appointed officials in Malacañang, Duterte said there are still “sparks” in Mindanao that are threatening to derail the “smooth transition” of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The BARMM is created through the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), a product of the government’s negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is a breakaway faction of the MNLF.

The President also reiterated that he is hoping Misuari would accept the “same terms’ the government offered to MILF chair and now BARMM interim chief minister Murad Ebrahim.

“Meron tayong MNLF, that is the Sulu up to Tawi-Tawi area. I am praying that Nur Misuari will be enlightened and will be able to accept maybe the same terms that we have extended to Murad,” Duterte said.

“That is the only way (for peace) without wreckage in our society,” he added.

Duterte has met with Misuari in Malacañang three times this year.

Misuari, who went into hiding since the 2013 Zamboanga City siege led by his troops but was later granted temporary freedom, had been in talks with Duterte following the ratification of the BOL that replaced the ARMM with the BARMM.

Misuari has opposed the creation of the plebiscite in favor of the rival MILF.

READ: Duterte meets with MNLF founder Misuari

READ: Duterte still hoping to settle issues with Misuari-led MNLF