Misuari ‘not a threat’ to BOL’s success — Palace

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
MALACAÑANG on Thursday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte does not see Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari as a threat to the success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), despite the rejection of Sulu province, Mr. Misuari’s turf, of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Monday’s plebiscite.
“Not really a threat. He [Mr. Duterte] considers Nur Misuari as someone — with his group — (who) can help (end) the conflict in Mindanao. You must remember that Nur Misuari is until now perceived to be the leader of the Muslims,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing.
With 163,526 “No” votes and 137,630 “Yes” votes, Sulu, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), rejected the BOL. However, Sulu’s rejection will have no effect because ARMM provinces, including Basilan (except Isabela City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Tawi-Tawi, voted as a unit.
Mr. Duterte told reporters on Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, that he was “very happy” with the plebiscite’s outcome.
Mr. Duterte said, “I’m very happy. We are a step nearer to a peaceful Mindanao. But then we have to refocus on the western side [of Mindanao]. Misuari must also have something there…. Sulu voted ‘No.’ So that’s something. I have to take that into account, otherwise sabihin na binalewala ‘yung ano nila damdamin nila (they will say their sentiments are being ignored).”
Mr. Panelo said the President “respects the sovereign will” of the people of Sulu. “But winning doesn’t mean that they will go against the law.”
He added, “I talked to [Sulu Governor] Sakur Tan, and he said he is not really against the Bangsamoro Organic Law….Just like Nur Misuari, they want federalism better. If federalism is better, ibig sabihin (it means) Bangsamoro Organic Law is good.”
Mr. Tan has a pending petition against the BOL in the Supreme Court.
On Mr. Duterte’s plan to meet Mr. Misuari after the plebiscite, Mr. Panelo said: “I also talked to him (Mr. Misuari), and he said, there are many ideas that he can contribute for the peace, prosperity and progress of Mindanao…. And I relayed that to the President. So the President is wanting or open to talking to him with respect to whatever suggestions he has in mind.”
Sought for comment, lawyer and Ateneo Policy Center research fellow Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld that Mr. Duterte “will surely ask Nur Misuari for recommendations” to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). “Organizing this body will be a huge challenge for the President. He will need to balance promises made to the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and the need to appease the Misuari faction of the MNLF.”
“But crucially, the President must also appoint capable people in the BTA. The success of the BOL depends on whether the BTA focuses on establishing building blocks for the BARMM or will it be just be ‘business as usual’ for the next three years?” Mr. Yusingco added.