Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari said the Abu Sayyaf was monitoring recent developments in the peace process, and was awaiting reports from him.
In September, it was Misuari who facilitated the release of several Abu Sayyaf hostages after he was given authority by President Duterte to negotiate with the bandit group.
Misuari told CNN Philippines, “About the Abu Sayyaf, ang hinihintay nila the outcome of my peace process. Marami nagsasabi nun sa kanila, including their supremo. Dati tauhan ko ‘yan lahat, umalis when I signed an agreement for autonomy, ayaw nila. However, kung makuha mo ang ano (autonomy) natin, kahit hindi perfect we will return back to the fold.”
[Translation: They are waiting for the outcome of my peace process. Many of them are saying that, including their leader. They used to be my men, they left when I signed an agreement for autonomy which they didn’t like. However, they said that if I’m able to get autonomy for us, even if it’s not perfect, we will return back to the fold.]
Earlier, Duterte also revealed he had rejected Misuari’s reported proposal to include the Abu Sayyaf in peace talks, and give its members amnesty.
When asked about the reported kidnapping of German national Jurgen Gustav Kantner over the weekend, as claimed by an Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Misuari said he has not yet received any information about this.
But he adds, in some instances, the Abu Sayyaf was not really behind the kidnappings, “Ang Abu Sayyaf nandun lang naghihintay sa kanilang lair. May magdala, mga kidnap dadalhin dun ng mga generals, ” Misuari reveals.
(Translation: The Abu Sayyaf are just waiting in their lair. Someone will bring the kidnap victims to them, the generals bring hostages to them.)
He however refused to say whether he was referring to Philippine or Malaysian generals. Earlier, Misuari had tagged Malaysia to be behind some kidnap-for-ransom incidents in Mindanao.
