- MNLF chairman endorses Davao City mayor, refers to him as their candidate
- He calls on Mindanao tri-people to help Duterte win the elections
- MNLF leaders surprised with call, says endorsement has never happened with past presidentiables
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato— To the words of certain officials of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Chairman Nur Misuari has never endorsed a presidential candidate — until now, that is.
With Rodrigo Duterte shifting his campaign to high gear, the elusive leader of the Moro group called on the tri-people of Mindanao (Muslims, Christians, and lumads) to support the mayor as he fights his way to the presidency.
Describing the mayor as Mindanao’s last hope for peace, Misuari said Mindanaoans should not hesitate supporting Duterte as he can definitely make good on his promise to bring lasting peace to the region.
“Huwag matakot, ibigay ang lahat ng inyong boto sa ating kapatid na si Rodrigo Duterte. Siya ang kandidato ng MNLF,” he told delegates of a peace forum via phone in Kidapawan City.
[Don’t be scared, give all your votes to our brother Rodrigo Duterte. He is the candidate of the MNLF.]
According to MNLF’s Central Mindanao Chief of Staff Datu Kautin Usman, the announcement was surprising considering their group has never endorsed a presidential candidate in the past.
“I was speechless then. Actually MNLF did not endorse any candidate, but this time it was chairman Misuari announcing it in front of us,” he said.
While they will still hold consultations, Usman said he will nevertheless relay Misuari’s call to his followers.
“We still have meeting on March 13, we will know the final decision,” he said. “We can deliver votes to any candidate especially that we have various followers in Central Mindanao and even in other places that will follow orders from our higher ups.”
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