(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, March 20, proposed the creation of a panel that will lead the shift to federalism and will deal directly with the Moro National Liberation Front.
Duterte said he made the proposal to MNLF chair Nur Misuari, whom he met on Tuesday, March 19, in the Palace.
Duterte said he made the suggestion as he warned Misuari would go to war should the federalism bid fail.
“Sabi ko ‘I understand, Nur. So ganito na lang gawin natin. Let’s form a panel because we have to inform the people. We do not negotiate secretly here’,” Duterte said.
According to Duterte, the panel would allow for the people to be briefed “day-to-day.”
“How gusto mo ma-apply yang federal system sa gusto mo, kagaya ba ng BOL o different type,” he said.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law has created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but the federalism bid remains pending in Congress.