Military to provide Misuari security if Duterte meeting pushes through

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military said it is ready to provide security to fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari once he's given the safe conduct pass to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte in Sulu, according to an official.

 

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they are ready to provide security for the president and the person he is intending to meet in Sulu.

 

Duterte in a statement to newsmen in Malacañan last Monday said he intends to meet with Misuari as part of his visit in Mindanao.

 

“Anybody who wants to talk peace and help in making Sulu and other parts of the country peaceful for the people is a welcome move,” Tan said.

 

Misuari, who has a standing warrant of arrest as he was tagged as the mastermind of the bloody September 2013 siege in this city, has been in hiding in his enclave in Indanan town, Sulu.

 

Misuari revolted after his 1996 MNLF final peace agreement with the Ramos administration was set aside when the Aquino government forged the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with their rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

 

Tan said that once they get a directive, the military and the police are ready to coordinate with the MNLF leadership in Sulu following the existing ceasefire truce mechanism through the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

 

“We believe on the president and there are mechanisms in doing so,” Tan said.