Duterte appoints Nur Misuari as special economic envoy to the OIC

To improve the chances of peace in Mindanao and to gain the support of the Islamic countries in the peace effort, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday appointed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari as the Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"Consider it as an honor for me to delegate you as special envoy of the government so that you can foster further lasting relationships with the leaders of the Islamic countries,” the President told Misuari during the first meeting of the government-MNLF Peace Coordinating Committee, according to an Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process statement.

Duterte added that only Misuari could "command the respect and trust" of the OIC.

“Most of the leaders of the OIC are friends of Nur," said the President. "I do not think that there is another Moro personality that could command the respect and trust of the OIC but only you. You are the only one who can bring the case to the OIC and get the results.”

For his part, Misuari said he was grateful and accepted the position.

Misuari was expected to attend the annual meeting of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States in Burkina Faso in Western Africa in January 2020.

According to a government statement, Misuari would play a "crucial role in pushing forward the implementation of the peace agreements between the government and the Moro fronts."

Duterte meanwhile promised that “no one will be left behind in the peace process and everyone will be given equitable opportunity and be fair for all the people in the Bangsamoro.” — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News