PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday, March 3, that he had reached out to the court to allow Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari to travel abroad.
Duterte made the admission in a speech delivered in Zamboanga City, amid his intent to pursue peace negotiations with Misuari.
"He (Misuari) wanted to go out. He was not allowed. Tapos may kaso siya. Kinausap ko ang police pati military, pati ang korte na palabasin muna siya. Ako ang nag-guarantee that he will come back (He's facing a case. I talked to the police, military and the court to let him go out. I guaranteed them that he will come back)," the President said.
"Misuari, a true Tausug, would never allow that he be buried in a foreign land. Sigurado ako niyan. That's why he will come back and help us build a nation," he added.
Duterte's statement came after the Sandiganbayan on February 26 granted Misuari's motion to travel abroad for his participation in the 46th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in the United Arab Emirates and the meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States in Morocco.
Misuari left the country on February 26 and was expected to return home between March 17 to 20.
In another speech delivered in Isabela City, Basilan, the President said he had guaranteed the court that Misuari would "never abandon" the country.
"Sinabi ko payagan mo na lang, hindi 'yan sisibat (I said allow him because he'll never hide). Nur Misuari will never abandon his country and I'm sure that he would only prepare to die in this native land," Duterte said.
He made the remark nearly a week after he met with Misuari at MalacaƱan Palace.
On February 26, the President bared that he and Misuari would craft a "new deal" when the Moro leader comes back, in a bid to achieve long-lasting peace in besieged Mindanao.
In a press conference held Monday, March 4, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there was "nothing wrong" with Duterte's move to ask the court to grant Misuari's request to go overseas.
Duterte merely "persuaded" the court to allow Misuari's overseas trip, as the Chief Executive believed that it would benefit the country, especially Mindanao, Panelo stressed.
"The President, as head of state, is mandated to preserve, and protect, and to serve the people. Kung ang problema doon sa Mindanao ay nakasalalay sa isang tao kagaya ni Misuari na napakalaki ng impluwensiya at malaking grupo na maaaring magkaroon ng sigalot, tungkulin ni Presidente lahat ng kanyang makakaya -- persuasion -- na tulungan," Panelo said.
(The President, as head of state, is mandated to preserve, and protect, and to serve the people. If the problem in Mindanao depends on one person like Misuari, who can influence and whose group is large and can cause discord, it's the President's duty to do his best, such as persuasion, to help Misuari.)
"Kung yung pagbibigay ng laya temporarily kay Misuari ay makakatulong, palagay ko, tungkulin ng Presidente na ipaalam sa hukuman na makakatulong itong taong 'to (If giving Misuari a temporary freedom is necessary, perhaps, it's the President's right to tell the court that this man can help us)," he added.
Misuari is on trial before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for two counts each of graft and malversation due to alleged anomalous purchase of P77 million worth of educational material when he was governor of then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Panelo said Duterte has no intention of interfering in the court's affairs, stressing that the President was merely relaying his "message" to the court with regard to Misuari's cases.
He also believed that Duterte has to wield "persuasive power" to convince other branches of government on what needs to be done.
"Kung persuasion lang, wala namang problema doon. Kung national interest. Parang ano iyan, there are many ways naman kasi of presenting your position. You can express it verbally nationwide. You can express it privately to the people para makarating sa dapat paratingan. There are many ways. Ang importante it's his duty to preserve this country," he said.
(There's no problem if it's a mere persuasion for national interest. There are many ways of presenting your position. You can express it verbally nationwide. You can express it privately to the people so they will know about it. There are many ways. What's important is it's his duty to preserve this country.)
"I'm telling you, iyan ang realidad (that's the reality). The courts will not allow themselves to be intimidated, coerced or commanded or directed by any branch of this government. You can only tell us your position and then we will evaluate. Iyan ang mga sangay (That's how branches of government work)," Panelo added. (SunStar Philippines)