PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte on Tuesday met with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari in Malacañang, which comes after his recent pronouncement that he will no longer push for federalism but at least an amendment in the Constitution. The meeting, their third this year, also took place after the President’s announcement that he wants Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, who was also present at the meeting, transferred to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) to serve as his point person in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Other officials who joined the President were his former special assistant and now Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go, Executive Secretary Salvador S. Medialdea, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. Messrs. Medialdea, Go, and Mr. Piñol did not immediately respond when asked to provide details regarding the meeting. Sought for comment, University of Santo Tomas Political Science Professor Marlon M. Villarin said the President’s meeting with Mr. Misuari could be his way of making the MNLF leader feel included in his plans for Mindanao. “He wants to make an idea of inclusivity… We know very well that Mr. Misuari, even before, manifested his desire to be recognized and to participate if he’s given the chance,” Mr. Villarin explained. The BARMM, created under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, is a fruit of the peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “So I think it’s one way of pacifying the possibility of Mr. Misuari feeling bad about being excluded,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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