MANILA – Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari on Thursday claimed that Malaysia is to blame for the kidnappings in Sipadan, Malaysia in the year 2000.

“Our sources are saying that since Malaysia is the one who is involved in this kidnapping for ransom, probably one day I would drag their leaders into the International Criminal Court,” Misuari said in a speech in Malacañang.

“I have all evidence in my hand… They are hiring my own people, even in Sipadan, they hired my cadre officers because they offered millions.”

The kidnappings of 10 Western tourists and 11 Asian resort workers from the Malaysian islands resort of Sipadan were attributed to bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

The Western hostages were freed in August 2001 and flown to Tripoli aboard a special jet sent by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, who is said to have paid millions of dollars in ransom. The Asians were also freed.

Misuari made the accusation ahead of Duterte’s trip to Malaysia where security and piracy are high on the agenda.

Misuari traveled to Manila from his lair on the remote southern island of Jolo after a local court suspended a warrant for his arrest over a bloody siege on Zamboanga City in 2013.

Speaking on the President's podium, Misuari assured Duterte of his support for the peace process.

“I told President Duterte, I was determined to stay put in the mountains were it not for his invitation. I cannot reject his invitation. Because I respect him too much. And now I came here to thank him, first for restoring my freedom, if only partially,” Misuari said.

“I know for a fact, he will not abandon his pledge to the people. He said I will give you peace in Mindanao. Is that so, Mr. President? So I support him for that.”

The MNLF leader accused then President Benigno Aquino of setting aside a peace deal he forged with former president Fidel Ramos in 1996 in favor of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a splinter group of the MNLF.

The peace deal with the MILF, however, was placed in limbo after Congress failed to pass a law to implement it before Aquino's term ended last June 30.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL would have granted the country's Muslim minority wider powers in an expanded autonomous region.

Congressional debates on the BBL stalled after 44 police commandos died in an encounter with the MILF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015. The troops had targeted Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir who was hiding in MILF areas.