Let’s talk peace, Duterte tells ASG, armed groups
President Duterte has expressed his willingness to talk to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other armed groups in the hope bringing peace in Mindanao.
“Huwag natin pasukan ‘yan (giyera). Hindi panahon natin ‘yan. Hindi ‘yung away na pwede tayong makipagsapalaran naubusan (Let's not go to war. It is not for us. Not the kind of fight that will finish all of us),”Duterte said as he asked locals and armed groups to give the newly-signed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) a chance.
“Mag-usap na lang.
Iyong Abu Sayyaf, mag-usap na lang tayo (Let's just talk. To the Abu Sayyaf, let's just talk),” the President added.
Duterte issued the call days after he signed the BOL, formerly known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The President, in a speech in Jolo, Sulu, reiterated his appeal for peace, noting that civilians will be the ones who will suffer most when war breaks out.
“Iyong BBL tapos na. Bigyan lang natin ng panahon. Huwag tayong mag-giyera (The BBL has already been signed. Let's give it a chance. Let's not go to war),”Duterte appealed Friday night.
“Ang problema, ang mga mahirapan ang mga bata, matanda, pati mga babae. Magiwan lang tayo ng maraming orphans (The problem is, the children, the elderly, and the women will be the ones who will suffer. We will just leave many orphans behind),” he said, referring to the effects of war.
Duterte said that nothing will come out if the government and the armed groups continue to fight, and that even killing him will not do anything good.
“Ano bang gawain natin? Magpatayan tayong lahat? Ako, pwede niyo akong patayin maski saan. Anong makukuha ninyo (What should we do? Should we just kill each other? You can kill me anywhere, but what will you get out of it)?” he asked.
“O, kung mamatay itong mga sundalo ko bukas, marami namang papasok. Walang katapusan (If my soldiers die tomorrow, new ones will come in. This will never end),” he added.
According to Duterte, armed groups in Mindanao should take advantage of the fact that the country now has a Moro for a president. He appealed to them to give him a chance to talk peace with them.
“Ngayon, may Presidente kayo na may dugong Moro. ‘Di bigyan ninyo ako konting panahon (Now you have a President who is a Moro, give me a chance),” he said.
Duterte said he is willing to confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu on Abu Sayyaf members, the same award he gives to soldiers fighting for the government.
“Ito ang binibigay ko sa mga sundalo ko. Iyong mga Abu Sayyaf na gusto ng medalya ng Lapu-Lapu, sabihin mo pagbalik ko kasi ako ang maglagay rin sa kanila para tabla. Pero walang away, ha? (This is what I give my soldiers. Now, if there are Abu Sayyaf members who want this, too, tell me so when I return, I will give this to them so all will be fair. So there will be no more fights),” he said.
“‘Pag matapang ka na Pilipino, ito ang ibigay ko sa'yo. Sundalo na Moro, ito ang ibigay ko – Order of Lapu-Lapu (If you are a brave Filipino, I will give this to you. A Moro soldier, I will give you the Order of LapuLapu),” he added.
Duterte also reiterated that he is willing to visit Abu Sayyaf camps as long as they promise not to do him any harm.
“Magpunta ako doon baka i-hostage mo ako. Ibigay ninyo 'yung word of honor ninyo na hindi niyo ako kidnapin (kidnap), hindi ninyo ako targetin (target), eh ‘di papasok ako doon, makipag-usap (I will go there but you might take me as hostage. Give me your word of honor that you will not kidnap nor target me, then I will come in to talk with you),” he said.