VICE presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the endorsement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to her and her runningmate former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is "essential" to their advocacy in bringing peace and development in Mindanao and the entire Philippines.
Duterte-Carpio, chairperson of Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), thanked the endorsement of MNLF faction led by National Vice Chairman for Military Affairs Datu Albakil “Thong” Jikiri.
"Let me express my sincerest gratitude to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for expressing support to my candidacy as Vice President and the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos as President in the May 9 elections," the mayor said.
She said Jikiri made the announcement recently in Zamboanga City, citing "their confidence in the wisdom and sincerity" of the UniTeam candidates.
"MNLF’s support is essential to our cause of bringing about meaningful and lasting peace and development in Mindanao and the rest of the country," Duterte-Carpio said.
She added, "As the national government’s partner in peace building in Mindanao over the years, MNLF’s support to the UniTeam will serve as a solid foundation in our pursuit of continued peace and development and equality of rights and opportunities for our Moro brothers and sisters."
The mayor said that as a Mindanawon, she will protect the interest of Mindanao and its people, citing the role of the island in the growth of the entire country.
In a report from the Philippine News Agency, Jikiri said the faction has decided to support the Marcos-Duterte tandem after "careful assessment of the prevailing political situation in the country."
“The MNLF under Yusop Jikiri, who is now represented by Albakil ‘Thong’ Jikiri, the MNLF vice chairman for military affairs, has decided to support the candidacies of (former) Senator Bong-Bong Marcos as president and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte as vice president of the country come May 9, 2022 elections,” MNLF said in a statement.
Jikiri said they believe in the "wisdom and sincerity" of the two candidates, especially Marcos, whose late father, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was responsible for the conclusion and the signing of the 1975 Tripoli Agreement.
He said the UniTeam runners are in the best position to work and finish the remaining unimplemented modalities of the peace process between the government and the MNLF.
“We unanimously agreed that our undivided and total support will be given to the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte as president and vice president, respectively,” Jikiri said.
He also urged all MNLF members is Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa), as well as Zamboanga Peninsula to support Marcos, Duterte and the senatorial candidates of the UniTeam.