As he seeks to jumpstart talks with communist rebels, President Duterte has started to reach out to rebel groups in Mindanao in a bid to foster peace in the troubled region.
The President bared on Tuesday about his initial conversation with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and his plan to travel to Jolo to meet the fugitive leader.
SIMPLICITY UNDERSCORED – President Duterte, in casual jeans and Barong Tagalog, troops the line at the 69th Philippine Air Force anniversary at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Airbase, Pampanga, last Tuesday. (Richard V. Viñas / mb.com.ph)
Duterte, speaking at the 69th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force in Clark Airbase, Pampanga, conceded that there are “many protracted wars” in Mindanao.
“I’ve been communicating with Nur. Maybe, we will go to Jolo and talk to him before we formally agree to talk officially,” the President said during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force at the Clark air base in Pampanga.
“I have my team already. I would not mention them now but they are ready sa government side,” he added.
The fugitive MNLF leader is facing rebellion charges in connection with the Zamboanga siege in 2013. His group had earlier complained of being left out in the Aquino government’s peace process with its breakaway group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Apart from the MNLF, Duterte said he has also been talking to the MILF on the continuation of the peace process. The previous administration had earlier forged peace accord with the MILF but was unable to pass a bill seeking to create the Bangsamoro political entity.
The government’s approach against the Abu Sayyaf Group, however, may be a tad different. Duterte has warned about an imminent “reckoning” for the group responsible for many atrocities, including kidnap-for-ransom and murder in the south.
“There will always be a time for reckoning and it will come. Maghintay lang kayo,” Duterte said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/digong-reaches-out-to-misuari-jolo-meeting-mulled/
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