Presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte chants “Mabuhay ang Moro people!” before entering his vehicle after his campaign rally in Cotabato City on Saturday. Majority of the Bangsamoros in the event expressed support for Duterte for his clear stance on resolving the Mindanao conflict.(MNS photo)
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Mar 7 (Mabuhay) -– A top official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) clarified that the recent pronouncements of their chairman, Professor Nur Misuari, is not, in anyway, connected to the ongoing peace process between their group and the Philippine government.
In an interview, lawyer Randolph Parcasio, also chief MNLF negotiator for the MNLF-GRP peace talks, said that he respects Misuari’s position. “Each one of us has his own position as to whom to vote,” said Parcasio.
On Sunday, Misuari spoke to MNLF sympathizers and leaders who gathered in Kidapawan City where he asked them to support Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential bid.
Misuari spoke through a mobile phone patched to a microphone and was heard by hundreds of his supporters during their general assembly held at the JC Complex in the city.
When asked if he was surprised to hear Misuari endorsed, for the first time, a presidential candidate, the lawyer said, “For the first time, Mindanao people was offered an opportunity of having a President that comes from Mindanao.”
For Parcasio, Duterte’s heart is for Mindanao, adding, “His finding solution to problems faced by the Moro and the indigenous peoples is proof of his sincerity in public service.”
Duterte is offering federalism not only to the people of Mindanao but the country, as wel. The MNLF believes this “is a better solution to Moro’s quest for their right to self determination.”(MNS)