Duterte, Misuari strike deal to maintain peace in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — The government will further strengthen its partnership with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by founding chairman Nur Misuari to combat rebellion, terrorism and kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and other parts of Mindanao.

According to Malacañang, Misuari reiterated his desire that the government tap the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the consultations, similar to the setup during previous tripartite talks among the government, MNLF and the OIC in the late 1990s.

In a statement before leaving yesterday for Beijing to join President Duterte’s working visit, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the mechanism will also enable the two parties to determine the remaining compliance of the government of the Philippines (GPH) to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF.

“The GPH-MNLF coordinating committee will serve as a venue to seek for the cooperation of the MNLF to achieve immediate peace in Sulu by, among others, helping in combatting the Abu Sayyaf group and convincing MNLF relatives to return to the folds of the law,” Panelo said.

Duterte vowed full support for talks by the GPH-MNLF coordinating committee “as we move toward our common goal of resolving the conflict that has caused deaths, suffering, and dislocation among Muslims and Christians alike,” he added.

“In resolving the Muslim rebellion in Mindanao, every undertaking that may lead to a lasting peace and prosperity to that region must be tried and tested until its fruition,” Panelo said.

Duterte met with Misuari for the fourth time last Friday in Davao to ensure the continuing cooperation between the administration and the Misuari-led armed group operating in Mindanao.

Duterte sought Misuari’s cooperation to kick off peace efforts anew by starting an agenda setting and peace discussions on the second week of September.

“The President relayed to Mr. Misuari his desire to immediately form a coordinating committee between the GPH and the MNLF and instructed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) to convene the same by the second week of September in Davao City for agenda setting and for the start of discussions,” Panelo said. – With Roel Pareño, Jose Rodel Clapano