Palace: Duterte order not to arrest Misuari a ‘strategic move’

A Palace official said the order of President Duterte to state forces not to arrest Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari was not a violation of the law but a “strategic move.”

“It’s not a question of violations because he (Misuari) is not fleeing,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters in a news briefing.

“It’s a strategic move,” Abella added.

Duterte on Wednesday ordered the police not to implement the standing arrest warrant against Misuari.

READ: Duterte to meet Misuari, orders police not to arrest MNLF leader

The President said he had a phone conversation with Misuari on Tuesday night as he reiterated that he was willing to meet with the Moro leader.

“I can go to him, I can go to Jolo if he wants. Or if he wants somebody there, they can bring him back to Davao City or in Manila. He can be my guest in Malacañang, in the People’s Palace, and we can talk there for a while,” he said.

“Well, if there is a warrant of arrest, all I have to do is to not implement it against him because if you arrest Misuari, you place him under the custody of the police diyan sa Crame and he dies for whatever reason, kompromiso na tayo,” he added.

The Chief Executive said he is the commander in chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and could order state forces not to arrest Misuari. CDG/rga

READ: Duterte tells Misuari: Let’s talk peace