Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chair Nur Misuari is given a chance to use the Presidential podium to air his views. He is welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan on Nov. 3 following a court suspension order of his warrant of arrest. (Karl Norman Alonzo/PPD)
DAVAO CITY — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the government asked Moro National Liberation Front founder Prof. Nur Misuari to “organize a five-person panel”.
“We got Misuari out already because he is still a key player. Whether you like it or not, he is still a key player,” Dureza said.
“We are going to engage them so that we can also consider now the MNLF tripartite review,” Dureza told reporters participating in the training dubbed, Communicating the Message of Peace: Reporting the Peace Process Saturday. Dureza was referring to the review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement signed between the MNLF and the government.
The agreement is undergoing a tripartite review presided by the Organization of the Islamic Council for unimplemented provisions.
Currently, Dureza said there are 42 consensus points that have been identified “that should be introduced to Republic Act 9054 to enhance the ARMM law.”
“It could be an amendment to RA 9054 or it can be a new enabling law for the Bangsamoro, whatever it is for lack of a better name right now,” he said.
On Monday, Nov. 7, President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the executive order reconstituting the Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will draft the new law for the Bangsamoro government. The law will replace the Bangsamoro Basic Law which failed to pass in Congress.
Dureza said the “new BBL” and the amendment to the ARMM Law will all be submitted to Congress, which will approve the implementing mechanism creating the Bangsamoro government.
The government is targeting a “convergence” of all Bangsamoro peace agreements.
“The division is very clear na kailangan mag-converge at wala nang paksyon-paksyon kung maaari (The division is very clear that we need to converge and hopefully there will be no more factions),” he said.
Misuari vowed to help President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign to pursue peace in Mindanao.
“You can count on us, Mr. President,” said Misuari in his speech at the Malacanang Palace on Nov. 3.
Misuari, who went into hiding for several years after the Zamboanga siege, flew Thursday afternoon to Manila when he was invited by Duterte whom he described as a man he “respect and trust”. (davaotoday.com)
