Manila Muslim group urges Aquino, Misuari dialogue

In this handout photo released by the Philippine Information Agency Region IX, Philippine military soldiers take position to secure an area in Zamboanga city, southern Philippines, Monday Sept. 9, 2013. AP Photo/Philippine Information Agency Region IX

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari should talk with each other to resolve the standoff in Zamboanga City, a group representing the Manila Muslim community told Radyo Inquirer 990AM Sunday.

“We hope the President…will give in and talk to Chairman Misuari and listen to what he has to say,” said Datu Bashir Alonto, chairman of the Metro Manila Muslim Community for Justice and Peace.

The group said they hope Aquino and Misuari would consider the plight of Filipinos in Mindanao and resolve the week-long conflict that left more than 50 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.

Alonto said they were reaching out to people close to Misuari to ask him to be considerate and stop the “war.”

“No one wins in times of war,” he said, adding that it only results in the death of Filipinos.

He said they are calling on local leaders and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to help resolve the conflict.