By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Duterte said that he is hoping to speak with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari to promote the interests of moros in Mindanao.

Duterte made the statement as he attended the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Cotabato City Friday.

In his speech, Duterte said he is bound to fulfill his promise to Misuari to talk about the interests of the moros once the plebiscite for the ratification of the BOL is finished. The plebiscite will be held on Monday.

“Though he’s not here, he’s a critical factor in the overall process, not only in Mindanao but in the entire Philippines. I refer to my good friend, Nur Misuari. I hope to talk to him in the coming days as we agreed. Sabi ko, ‘Tapusin muna natin ‘to, hintuin natin ‘yung atin (Let’s finish this one first and postpone our talks for a while), then again we can resume after the Bangsamoro,” the President said.

“I would call out to him, extend my hand in friendship and peace and I know that we can strike an agreement that will also promote the interest of the MNLF, and the rest of the moro of Mindanao,” he added.

Duterte also assured that once the BOL is ratified by the people, the government will keep the interference in the affairs of the Bangsamoro government to a minimum.

“We can also talk and come up with something that will come to the barest minimum para lang makuha natin ang (so the we can achieve the) peaceful Mindanao,” he said.

“I assure you that there will be the least disturbance or interference kapag meron nang workable governance sa inyo (once you have a workable governance),” he added.

The President vowed that lands will be distributed justly and that resources will be divided by the Moro who are there in possession of the land.

“Walang iistorbo sa inyo, at wala naman talaga (You will not be disturbed because no one really will do that),” Duterte said.

“I will let the land reform to take place. Kayo man ang mag-hati-hati (You can divide it among yourselves). But I will be there to help you until such time that the Bangsamoro territory will prosper,” he added.