MANILA - An adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte met last week with Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) "Commander Bravo" over allegations that the latter has established his own government in Lanao del Sur with the backing of drug traffickers.

Presidential Adviser on OFWs and Muslim Concerns, Secretary Abdullah Mama-o on Sunday said he went last November 10 to the mountain lair of Commander Bravo, whose real name is Abdullah Macapaar.

Macapaar denied receiving payoffs from narcotics dealers in Metro Manila and other provinces in exchange for protection, Mama-O shared.

"We held the meeting inside a mosque in his mountain hide-out in Lanao del Sur in the presence of his men. Bravo clarifies that his operations in the MILF NWMF (Nortwestern Mindanao Front) were, in fact, in support of the President’s anti-drug war," said Duterte's adviser.

Macapaar also claimed that drug syndicates were responsible for spreading false information to trick the President into thinking that he has set up a rebel government.

"He [Bravo] said his command will continue complementing the President’s drive against the scourge of drugs. He also said that he abides by the on-going peace process between the government and the MILF," said Mama-O.

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