Gov’t exploring possibility of creating regional gov’t for Misuari’s MNLF

The Duterte administration is exploring the possibility of creating a regional government for areas under the influence of Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday that they have received guidance from President Rodrigo Duterte to look into the matter.

“That is ano, the presidential guidance, and we will look into it if... puwedeng applicable siya,” Galvez said at a news conference.

“Sa ngayon ay titingnan po namin and based doon sa magiging ayos po ng peace agenda namin with the MNLF. Sa ngayon ay hindi ko pa masasabi considering that we have not organized yet the MNLF coordinating committee.”

Galvez said he will have a “personal meeting” with Misuari on Wednesday. He refused to reveal the agenda, saying it was “very confidential.”

The Cabinet official admitted that Sulu, Misuari’s turf, has been a “geographical” challenge for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), whose key leaders included officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a rival rebel group of the MNLF.

Sulu rejected the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was questioned before the Supreme Court by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan II in a petition he filed in October last year. Tan alleged that the law compels Sulu to be part of the Bangsamoro region even if it voted for exclusion.

Early this month, Duterte said he was hoping that Misuari would accept the “same terms” his government offered to the MILF.

The new region had expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy, and an increased share in national government resources as provided under the BOL.

“I am praying to God that Nur Misuari will be enlightened and will be able to accept maybe the same terms that we have extended to [MILF chairman] Murad [Ebrahim]. That is the only way really without a breakage in our society,” Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang on August 5.

The president had repeatedly talked about his plan to seek Misuari's help in ensuring lasting peace in Mindanao.

He also said he was in a “hurry” to strike an agreement with Misuari who had warned of war if the federal system of government being pushed by Duterte does not get adopted.

Duterte and Misuari met in Malacañang on July 9 but there were no details released by the Palace. — MDM, GMA News