The newly-elected President of the Republic of the Philippines president-elect Rodrigo Duterte met with leaders of the two Muslim rebel groups in Mindanao the MILF and MNLF late Friday evening, in a discussion envisioned to end decades of conflict in southern Philippines. The meeting between MILF, MNLF and Pres. Duterte is a “brother to brother” discussion according to some people who attended the meeting.
Pres. Duterte joined the Moro National Liberation Front chairman Abul Khayr Alonto and Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Murad Ibrahim, and MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar. The meeting between Duterte and the MILF and MNLF was held at Hotel Elena in Davao City.
Some reporters who rushed to the venue to witness the event saw Mayor Duterte, Murad and Alonto posing for photos with supporters past 9:30 PM at Jacky’s Resto Cafe in Hotel Elena. Right after the meeting Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Alonto told reporters that “It’s a meeting of a brother to a brother.”
The MNLF Chairman explained further that “Setting aside formalities, there is no substitute for a brother talking to a brother, with the MILF and the MNLF, and of course with President Duterte. That is a brotherhood,” Alonto explained. The meeting between Duterte, MILF and MNLF Chairman happened for the very first time in the history of Mindanao.
According to Mayor Duterte’s closest aide Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed the meeting between the three highest officials but he declined to disclose other details.
Both the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front agreed with the plans of Pres. Duterte for the Philippines particularly the proposed Federal System of Government. Federalism is considered as acceptable to all parties concerned and to all stakeholders in Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro the national cultural communities.” The meeting between MILF, MNLF and Duterte comes after presidential adviser Jesus Dureza, begans talks in Norway with communist leader Jose Maria Sison.