Duterte in a hurry to strike deal with Misuari

MANILA, Philippines — While he is still in power, President Duterte is in a hurry to strike a deal with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari to strengthen peace in Mindanao. 

“Here in Mindanao, we are also grappling with so many fronts. I am dealing with the drug problem and at the same time, I am in a hurry to strike a deal with Nur Misuari,” Duterte said in a speech during a political rally in Koronadal City on Tuesday night.

Duterte said he could not afford to go to war against Misuari, who has been pushing for a federal setup as supposedly promised during the administration of former president Corazon Aquino.

Following the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), Duterte said the concerns of Misuari should also be addressed by the government to ensure that the success of the peace talks will materialize.

“The (Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL) is satisfactory according to Murad, as it is. So long as it is implemented correctly,” the President said, referring to newly appointed BTA interim chief minister and former Moro Islamic Liberation Front leader Murad Ebrahim.

“We have to deal with (Misuari) again and I hope that we could find the space, the time and the issues that would be more acceptable to everybody, to both the lumad, the Christian and the Moro,” Duterte said.

Duterte added that he wants to maximize the opportunity to talk about peace and development efforts in Mindanao because he is uncertain of what will happen after his term.

“I am not saying that I can or I’m the only one – that would be hypocrisy. But my worry is the next president. I do not have any idea who (the next president) will be, only God knows. You know, the presidency is a gift from God,” he said. – With Paolo Romero