Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari advised the government to drop Malaysia as broker in the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), warning that Malaysians will expect Philippines to drop its claim over Sabah as just reward for its efforts.

Recently cleared by a Makati City court of rebellion charges, Misuari appeared at the Friday Balitaan News Forum in Quezon City questioning the Philippine government’s decision to tap Malaysia as the venue and its government as the intermediary in the long drawn out peace talks with the MILF.

However, he stressed that Malaysia has set its sights at Sabah as the just compensation in helping the Philippine government discuss peace with the MILF secessionist leaders.

“This is very dangerous because it poses to us a sword of Damocles. The MILF and the GRP will be indebted to them (Malaysian government) that the first thing they would do is to declare an end to our claim to Sabah,” the MNLF chieftain said. “The MILF has no right over Sabah, it belongs to Sulu.”

Misuari, who has filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) to run for governor in Sulu, said government must first fully implement its commitment with the MNLF before pursuing the MILF peace negotiations.

He pointed out that under the GRP-MNLF pact, the Philippines Congress will pass an omnibus measure that would contain previous laws on autonomy in Mindanao and provisions of the peace treaty with the MNLF that were excluded.

“We agreed to come up with a new law to integrate Republic Act 1954 and previous laws, including the organic law, to enhance them by adding agreements in Jeddah, in Istanbul and IN Manila among the three parties – OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference), GRP, and MNLF – so that we can broaden the scope of autonomy,” Misuari said.