Duterte-Misuari meet might not push through, source says

From the Philippine Star (Jun 6): Duterte-Misuari meet might not push through, source says

A planned meeting between President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and fugitive Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in Sulu province might not push through after all, a security official said.

The source, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said Duterte has been advised about the possible repercussions of the meeting.

 

It is not clear whether the concern raised was the pending cases that Misuari faces for his alleged involvement in the 2013 siege of Zamboanga City or the ongoing security operations against the Abu Sayyaf group.

“Baka the incoming [president] also has his own reservations,” the source said.

Duterte earlier planned to see Misuari right in his enclave in Sulu after a team that Misuari sent to relay his congratulations to the president-elect failed to get a meeting with the Davao City mayor.

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and the local government here earlier said they respects Duterte's decision to meet with Misuari. They said, however, they are were wary over the reported meeting because of a standing case against Misuari and neraly 200 of his suspected followers over the siege.

The military, for its part, said it is prepared to provide security to Duterte as the incoming president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“In our case, kahit sino ang magpunta doon, mas lalo na ang president talagang we’ll do our best to secure him,” said Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, which also secured President Benigno Aquino III when he visited Sumisip, Basilan in March.

The Westmincom commander said it is also the president's duty to see as many of his constituents as possible.

“So we will provide all the necessary security to make him safe,” Dela Cruz said.

The Westmincom has been reinforcing troops in Sulu and will be deploying another battalion there from Lanao del Sur.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/06/06/1590654/duterte-misuari-meet-might-not-push-through-source-says