By Cielito M. Reganit
President Rodrigo R. Duterte assures wounded soldiers of continuous financial assistance during a fellowship dinner in Malacañan’s Heroes’ Hall on August 29, National Heroes Day. (MNS photo)
MANILA (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said that he is amenable to meeting with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chieftain Nur Misuari in Kuala Lumpur, or anywhere in the Philippines – even in Malacañang – in order to speed up the peace process in Mindanao.
“I talked with Misuari last night (Tuesday), and he proposed that we meet in Kuala Lumpur in front of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Sabi ko: Dalian mo Nur, we are wasting lives here,” Duterte said during an interview with reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) prior to his departure for Zamboanga City.
The President went to Zamboanga to visit the wake of the 15 fallen soldiers who died in an ongoing operation against the extremist Abu Sayyaf group.
Duterte said he also told Misuari that is also willing to waive the arrest warrant against the MNLF leader so that a dialogue could be undertaken in the Philippines if the latter so desired.
“Nur, I have no intention of detaining you or placing you in the custody of the government. You can simply walk out there, ask any soldier and police to escort you. Kung saan ako, mag-usap tayo,” the President related.
He said this could easily be done since as Commander-in-Chief, he would just order the police and the military to disregard the arrest warrant.
“If there is a warrant of arrest, all I have to do is not to implement it against him because if you arrest Misuari (and) you place him under the custody of the police diyan sa Crame, and he dies for whatever reason, kompromiso na tayo. He’s the only known leader (of the MNLF) who has the influence and the structure. Nobody else,” Duterte said.
“I cannot be too stringent in the matters that would affect whether or not we succeed. Kasi the most important thing really is that there is a dialogue going on,” he said.
“I can go to him, I can go to Jolo if he wants. Or if he wants somebody there, they can bring him back to Davao City or in Manila. He can be my guest in Malacañang, in the People’s Palace, and we can talk there for a while,” Duterte said.