Key to Peace

A major part of President Duterte’s campaign is to achieve peace between the

rebels in Mindanao and the government. As President he declared a unilateral ceasefire
between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) during his State of the Nation
Address (SONA). However such declaration was later foiled by an incident which resulted
to the death of some government servicemen.

Despite such incident, the President continued to pursue peace for the country.
Yesterday the President met with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding
chairman Nur Misuari in Malacaňang to discuss peace in Muslim Mindanao.1

Why talked to a former leader about peace?

Nur Misuari is the founding chairman of the MNLF in 1969. He led the MNLF in the
signing of pro-autonomy peace settlement with the Philippine government in 1996 and
then became governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). But
during his tenure, from 1996 -2001, he was accused of mismanagement was ousted as
MNLF head. In 2001, he bid to be the head of ARMM but failed to get the support of by
then President Arroyo. Thus he resorted to armed struggle but was arrested and charged
for rebellion and sedition which was later withdrawn in 2008.2

In 2013, President Benigno Aquino made an announcement that the peace deal
negotiation between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government is in
its final stage. It will result to a Bangsamoro Political Entity that will replace Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). After such announcement, Misuari declared the
establishment of the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik consisting of
Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and the state of Sabah in northern
Borneo.3 Thereafter, MNLF forces entered Zamboanga City led by Ustadz Habier Malik
and Khaid Ajibon, whose group continues to recognize Nur Misuari as MNLF Chairman.
The crisis continued for nineteen (19) days which left hundreds wounded and 218 dead.
On October 9 the Zamboanga Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Nur Misuari and
his key lieutenants as well as the members of the MNLF involved in the sieged. 4

With these facts in mind, Nur Misuari is a force despite his position in the MNLF.
He as a former leader and a founding chairman of the MNLF still has the power to call up
arms and command the members of the group. Overlooking his position will inevitably
result to another zambonga siege. Hence, opening the doors for Nur Misuari in the peace
negotiation between the MILF and the government of the Philippines is one small step for
achieving peace in the country which will lead us to greater heights in the future.

1
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/03/16/misuari-meets-duterte-in-malacaang
2
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/the-rise-and-fall-of-nur-misuari-1.1231406
3
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/325855/news/regions/timeline-crisis-in-zamboanga-city
4
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/635995/what-went-before-the-mnlf-siege-of-zamboanga-city