Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari arrived in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte after three years in hiding.
“I came here to thank him for restoring my freedom, if only partially. I am so happy to be free again, owing to the initiative of our President,” Misuari said.
The MNLF leader, who arrived in Malacañang around 4 p.m., said he granted the invitation of Duterte, who he said is “the man whom I respect and trust.”
“For I believe, as I said during the campaign, that this one single man who can provide solution to the problem of peace and order in our homeland,” he said.
Misuari arrived in Manila at 1:15 p.m. with Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza hours after the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 158 granted the motion to suspend proceedings against him, thus the implementation of the arrest warrant was suspended.
READ: DOJ: Arrest warrant vs Misuari not lifted; proceedings suspended
“There is a pending warrant against Misuari which is lifted now upon my orders so we can talk,” Duterte said.
The President, who welcomed Misuari at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang, said he was “very grateful” to the MNLF leader for accepting his invitation.
“It is with great happiness that I announce to the nation that Chairman Nur Misuari, our brother who heads the MNLF, has finally decided to just accept my invitation for him to talk to us,” Duterte said.
“He has obliged and we are very grateful,” he added.
Misuari assured Duterte of his cooperation on his administration’s campaign for lasting peace.
READ: Misuari vows to work for peace in meeting with Duterte
“Just allow me to reiterate my sense of gratitude to the President and I promise that should he need our cooperation in his campaign for peace, you can count on us, Mr. President,” he said. RAM/rga