MNLF denies Nur endorsed Pacquiao

MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. (MNLF Facebook page)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Moro National Liberation Front, whose chieftain Nur Misuari signed a peace deal with the government in September 1996, has denied endorsing presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquaio.

The MNLF said Misuari has not endorsed Pacquiao, who recently met with the former Libyan firebrand at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. It said Pacquiao only called on Misuari as courtesy to the country’s Special Envoy to the influential Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

A photo of Misuari and Pacquiao holdings also went viral on social media with Pacquiao's camp saying the MNLF has endorsed the candidacy of the lawmaker.  

“The picture circulating online of Chairman Nur Misuari with Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquaio is not an official endorsement for his candidacy,” the MNLF said, adding any endorsement of any kind from some members of the MNLF for any particular candidate is personal in nature and does not reflect the endorsement of Misuari or the former rebel group. 

The MNLF said Misuari is yet to endorse his chosen presidential candidate. 

“The Chairman maintains an open-door policy to all presidential candidates who wish to share their visions and platforms with him, especially that (sic) which relate to the Bangsamoro people and for peace and development of the entire nation. The Chairman remains neutral and is yet to endorse his chosen presidential candidate,” it added. 

Duterte appointed Misuari two years ago as Special Envoy and helped in the government’s peace process. Misuari previously asked Duterte to include the OIC in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a breakaway group, saying the Islamic body has 57 member states which played a vital role in the peace talks between the government and MNLF in the past. 

In March 2014, the MILF under Murad Ebrahim, also signed a peace agreement with the government. Ebrahim was also appointed as governor of the MILF-led autonomous region by President Rodrigo Duterte in support of the peace accord. 

Ebrahim and his political party, United Bangsamoro Justice Party, and the MILF have endorsed the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in the May election. But four of five provincial governors of the Muslim region led by Sulu Governor Sakur Tan are supporting presidential aspirant and former senator Bongbong Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the president’s daughter. (Mindanao Examiner)