Duterte grateful to Nur Misuari for accepting invitation to join peace talks

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday met Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari in Malacañang.

Duterte said he was grateful that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari accepted his invitation to talk about peace.

Duterte invited Misuari to Malacañang after the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 158 decided to suspend the MNLF leader's trial and arrest warrant for the 20-day attacks on Zamboanga City in 2013. 

Over 200 people were killed and thousands of others were displaced during the attacks.

"It is with great happiness that I announce to the nation that Chairman Nur Misuari, our brother who heads the MNLF, has finally decided to just accept my invitation for him to talk to us. He has obliged and we are very grateful," Duterte said before the press in Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace. 

In a brief message, Duterte reassured Misuari that he does not want him arrested.

"There is the pending warrant which is lifted now upon my orders so that we can talk and I would like to assure Nur, brother Nur, that there was never any intention to deprive you of your liberty," the President said.

In a chance interview, chief presidential legal counsel Sec. Salvador Panelo explained that Duterte meant, "The court granted the motion, petition of Misuari camp for the purpose of these peace talks. What the prosecutors did was not to oppose it."

President Duterte looks on as MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari stands behind the presidential podium to give a statement pic.twitter.com/HT2vnKmbWr

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) November 3, 2016

‘He can go anywhere’

Meanwhile, Misuari, as he stood on the presidential podium upon Duterte's invitation, thanked the President for restoring his "partial" freedom.

"I told our dear brother, the President, I was already determined to stay put in the mountains were it not for his call, were it not for his invitation. It’s just that I cannot reject his invitation because I respect him too much," Misuari said.

The MNLF founding chairman and his delegation left Malacañang around 4 p.m.

Asked where Misuari is going next, Presidential peace adviser Sec. Jesus Dureza said: "He's already free. He can decide on wherever he wants to go... He will meet with the family pa eh. Marami siyang apo, you know that. Gusto niya munang makipag-bonding sa mga apo niya."

Peace talks

Dureza told reporters that Duterte and Misuari are expected to meet once again for a longer chat.

"Knowing their past association, friendship nila, I am sure they want to chat again... Parang long lost brother eh," he said.

While details of Misuari's role in the Bangsamoro peace process is yet to determined and finalized, Dureza assured that the MNLF founding chairman will play a crucial voice for the success of the talks.

"Don't speculate. Don't worry about what's going happen. Let's just see how things will roll out when he's one of the key players in our efforts in sustainable and comprehensive peace," he said.

Dureza further explained that they were looking into consolidating all the agreements made by the MNLF as well as Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"All of these will be converged hopefully to enhance to amend the ARMM Law which is Republic Act 9054. Hopefully, we can input all of these harmonious provisions in all the agreements and come up with a new enabling law," the presidential peace adviser said.

"Just allow me to reiterate my sense of gratitude to the President and I promise that should he need our cooperation in his campaign for peace, you can count on us, Mr. President," Misuari stressed. — VVP/NB, GMA News