Duterte tells AFP: Wipe out Sayyaf

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte yesterday ordered the military to finish off the Abu Sayyaf.

During his visit at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo late Thursday, Duterte stressed before the troops the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf and the war against illegal drugs should go full force.

“We will not let up on the war against the Abu Sayyaf and drugs. They would not honor their word. If they like to kill, then we will go ahead and kill them up to the last man,” he said.

The President said government will deal with the Abu Sayyaf using the full force of the law.

The Abu Sayyaf has remained one of the leading threat groups in the country.

The militant group has reportedly divided their 19 remaining hostages into five groups in order to elude pursuing government forces.

Duterte flew into Jolo and visited the wounded soldiers at the military hospital.

The President awarded the Wounded Personnel Medallion (WPM) to 28 soldiers who were wounded during recent clashes with the militant group in Sulu.

The wounded soldiers also received cash assistance, a Glock pistol and a mobile phone from the President. “I am impressed by your performance here. I am very happy,” Duterte said in a speech before members of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion at Camp Teodulfo Bautista.

The President also distributed Glock pistols to each soldier inside the camp.

Duterte gave the troops a pep talk, reiterating his administration is in talks with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari as well as leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to help in the pursuit of peace in the country. “Nur Misuari is talking to me and he asked for more time to assemble his men,” Duterte said.

“Maybe this will lessen the problem, except the war on drugs and terrorism,” he said.

Duterte also told the troops that he had invited Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to come home for medical treatment and assistance.

Duterte said he was informed that Sison has fallen sick while in exile in the Netherlands.

He also told the troops that the government could not afford fighting the communists for another 50 years, which is why the peace talks with the rebels are ongoing.

“I know it is hard for you that your comrades had to die this way. But you know, we cannot fight another 50 years,” Duterte told the troops.