Philippine leader wants to talk with 2 rebel groups, China

In a late night press briefing held at the Presidential guest house here on Thursday, August 11, Duterte referred to Misuari as his friend, saying that he does not want him detained, lest he lose the chance to have peace talks with the MNLF if something happens to Misuari while under government custody. “But we are still pursuing the talks”, the President said.

“In fact, we are envisioning that the new Bangsamoro government entity can be the pilot of a federal state that embodies meaningful autonomy”.

“We are appealing to the Bangsamoro to come together and work [out] their differences and come up with their proposed enabling law”, he added. It will also speed up the peace process which he has vowed to implement within his term during his campaign period.

If he would be able to bring peace in Mindanao, Duterte promised that development would follow. particularly in Sulu which has over 800,000 population based on 2015 National Statistics Office (NSO) data.

“I chose to lift and then they came out with statement in the evening that they are supposed to cease fire”.

The formal meeting between the Philippine government and the MILF is the first under the Duterte administration. “He also emphasized how it is important to make this implementing stage primarily an all-Filipino process consistent with the principles of self-determination and autonomy”, he added.

“Usap na lang tayo (Let us just talk)”, he said.

Murad said the BBL will still be the “working paper” of the new draft to be prepared by the 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission, of which Misuari and Muslimin Sema, who leads another splinter group of the MNLF, will be part of.

As he stressed that Malaysia would remain committed to the peace process for as long as desired, Najib said that the resumption of the talks would pave the way for a peaceful solution to the decades-long conflict in southern Philippines.

“I will meet Misuari for sure because pagkatapos ng panel-panel it goes up to us”.

But in a chance interview on Friday, the President said he would still be talking to Misuari after presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza meets with the disgruntled Muslim leader.

Meanwhile, President Duterte failed to meet the MNLF in Jolo last Friday, and the Chief Executive said he hopes to meet with Misuari early next year after the discussions between government and the MILF.

It remains unclear when the government would start talks with the Moro National Liberation Front, which has split into a number of factions.

Despite the exchange of words with CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison after recent armed incidents, Mr. Duterte said he can always pursue talks with the communist movement.

“You can never have talks again…” “Kapag may nangyari sa kanya, malaking problema yan (If something happens to him, it will be a big problem)”.