A former university professor, Misuari instigated a Muslim separatist rebellion in the south during dictator Ferdinand Marcos's rule in the 1970s, but accepted limited autonomy for minority Muslims in the south and signed a 1996 peace deal with the government. Duterte told reporters he had personally ordered the rebellion charges against Misuari to be “lifted.”

However a court document showed the arrest warrant against Misuari had only been “suspended” for six months. ZAMBOANGA CITY — Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari arrived in Manila to meet President Duterte on Thursday, after the Pasig regional trial court suspended the enforcement of his arrest warrant and all court proceedings against him for six months.
Muslim rebel group Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari meets with Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang Palace after receiving a reprieve from previous crimes of rebellion.