NEITHER Rodrigo R. Duterte nor Nur Misuari had any inkling when they first met in Davao City that they will meet again this time auspiciously in Malacanang Palace to talk about peace. Two decades ago, the two can only talk in whispers about what troubles Mindanao. Despite the years and events that had elapsed their passion for justice and peace for Mindanao has not ebbed. Duterte is now President and Misuari, although visibly failing in health, is lucid and his words are as stinging and sharp as the sparkles in his eyes. We all know about Duterte’s unfettered commentaries about how Mindanao had been treated like vassals by its own government The same reason was what drove Misuari to abandon his professorial job in the University of the Philippines to wage an armed rebellion against the centrist government.
Nur gave peace a chance but despite the guarantees that are ensconced in the constitution the government that promised justice and fair share of the nation’s wealth for Mindanao remained elusive. Nur opted to stay in the hinterlands of Sulu away from the reach of media which he confessed had treated him so unfairly.
He was not to be heard again until the so called Zamboanga siege. Not consulted by the peace negotiating panels on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, MNLF elements turned up in Zamboanga City to prove they are not a spent force and that they have as much stake on the issues that concerns the Bangsamoro. Led by Commander Ustadz Habier Malik, the MNLF wanted to plant their flag in front of the City Hall to put across that message. But the government refused to talk and engaged the rebels instead in an armed confrontation. Then Vice Pres, Jejomar Binay and Mayor Duterte attempted to talk to Misuari and there were indications that the MNLF troops will withdraw but both Binay and Duterte were advised by higher authorities not to stand in the way. The unexpected armed confrontation ensued leading to the loss of so many lives mostly civilians and MNLF elements. The government action was liken to that of burning one’s house to get rid of a rat.
True to form, the Aquino government had to blame others except themselves. They filed cases of rebellion, crime against humanitarian law and genocide against Misuari stonewalling the fact that they ordered the bombing on the entire district in the urban center of Zamboanga City resulting in casualties and destruction of properties amounting to P32-billion in government estimate.
As in the case of negotiating peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front, discussing peace with rebels in the conflict areas in Mindanao means talking with the MILF, MNLF, the Indigenous Peoples and the Christian communities. Conscripting the MNLF in the peace process is an exigency otherwise the talks will have no value at all. Professor and rebel leader Misuari therefore has to be a principal participant in the process.
Admittedly there will be quarters who will protest the inclusion of Misuari but precisely he has to be part of the deliberation because he was and still is a part of the rebellion. Articulate and knowledgeable of the problems that beset Mindanao and the Bangsamoro people his inputs in the peace negotiation are vital.
Chairman Nur had his faults when he was governor of Armm. But his successors are worse. It is also the grievous sin of the national government in not implementing fully what was agreed in the peace agreement during the term of Nur. “Autonomous” was in fact a misnomer for the central authority made chips of the so-called autonomy as political bargaining tools to get what they wanted, among these: delivery of “captive votes” and dictating on Armm officials what priority projects to carry out. ARMM was a disaster.
Speaking in the presidential podium Misuari has committed his unequivocal support for President Duterte quest for peace in Mindanao, his homeland. Peace, he said, is an ultimate gift to humanity. The indefatigable peacemaker Jesus Dureza has won an added partner. This is one significant stride as the Duterte government moves on in search for a stable, meaningful and lasting peace. -Jerry Dureza, Davao City
