Malacanang said differences between Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the former secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and that of the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by Al Haj Murad Ebrahim would have to be settled by both men.

This was after Misuari said in a TV interview he would not participate in the peace process along with the MILF, which he called as "traitors." Text messages from the Daily Manila Shimbun to his spokesperson were not answered.

The MILF, then headed by Salamat Hashim, broke away with the MNLF in the '70s'.

"It will have to be settled, even before the process takes place. So, they’ll have to sit down together and be able to express their opinions and doubts and difficulties. But it will have to be resolved before they actually sit down," Abella said in a press briefing.

He said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process would be in charge of settling the issue.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza earlier said Misuari's group would not be part of the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which will draft a new proposed measure for the Bangsamoro.

He said another table would be created for Misuari's faction which is expected to come up with its own inputs for the bill to be submitted to Congress.

Dureza said "convergence" would take place in Congress, which will include in the bill the proposals of the MILF-led BTC and that of Misuari's group. Celerina Monte/DMS