MANILA: An influential leader of the Philippines’ decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency voiced support Thursday for peace efforts after rebellion charges against him were suspended and he held a surprise meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. Misuari signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996 in return for the creation of a Muslim autonomous area of which he became governor. It also remains unclear how many armed followers Misuari still has, and how much control he continues to hold over the MNLF. Misuari on Thursday insisted he remained a powerful force, and that thousands of men from other rebel groups had switched to become his followers. Duterte told reporters he had personally ordered the rebellion charges against Misuari to be “lifted”.

Source: The Star November 03, 2016 13:13 UTC