Rody: Destroy Abu Sayyaf

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte yesterday said he has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to put an end to the Abu Sayaff Group.

This, following the recent beheading of a teenager identified as Patrick James Almodovar, 18, on Wednesday afternoon. The victim was held captive for ransom by the bandit group in Sulu.

“I’m sending the troops there and told them to destroy the Abu Sayyaf,” Duterte said in a press briefing yesterday at Ahfat Restaurant, Victoria Plaza in Davao City.

“My orders to the police and to the armed forces against all enemies of the state, seek them out in their lairs, whatever, and destroy them,” he added.

Duterte also said that same directive goes to illegal drugs.

He emphasized that he will be “harsh” in going after the group.

“So killed or what, don’t ask about human rights,” Duterte said.

“I will be harsh [to the Abu Sayyaf]. Mind you, I have just used a campaign--a campaign that just go out and destroy them. So kill them and don’t ask about human rights. Don’t bother to think,” he earlier said.

In August, Almodovar’s mother appealed to the President to help free her son. The abductors are asking some P1 million ransom. But the family was only able to collect a total of P100,000 with the help from friends, family and government officials.