Duterte visits MILF camp in Sultan Kudarat

From ABS-CBN (Feb 27): Duterte visits MILF camp in Sultan Kudarat

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao - Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday met with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

It was the first time Duterte visited the MILF's main camp. He arrived at around 11:50 a.m. He was welcomed by the rebel group's officials, led by MILF First Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim is currently out of the country.

Duterte discussed with the MILF the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which the Congress failed to pass. The BBL seeks to establish a new political entity that will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to Duterte, he did not visit the MILF's camp to campaign ahead of the May 9 elections, saying he respects the group's decision not to endorse any candidate.

He said he just wanted to discuss with the group his position on the problems facing Mindanao.
The mayor, however, took a swipe at Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas over the Aquino administration's failure to pass the BBL.

READ: Next President has to pass BBL, Aquino says

Duterte said if elected president, he will push for a federal form of government, where he will have the proposed BBL incorporated.

Duterte acknowledged that the MILF was hurt and disappointed over the non-passage of the BBL, but called on the group to refrain from taking any action that may derail the peace process.

Jaafar, for the MILF's part, said they expect Duterte to duplicate in the entire country what he has done in Davao City if he wins the presidential race.

Duterte, who left the MILF camp at 1:25 p.m., proceeded to the Cotabato City Plaza for a campaign sortie.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/02/27/16/duterte-visits-milf-camp-in-sultan-kudarat