“Abu Sayyaf, hindi ko sila kalaban. I know that is connected with the issue of Mindanao. Nais ko lang linawin, sila ba? Are they willing to talk or just fight it out?” This was the question posed byPresident-elect Rodrigo Duterte during his thanksgiving party in Cebu last Saturday, June 25, 2016. He said that he wants to know if the Abu Sayaff
Group is open to have a dialogue with the government or just continue
with their atrocities. He said that he posed the question because he is
half-hearted about using the public budget to buy arms to eliminate
fellow Filipinos. Quoting from his speech ““But I hate to buy rifles and
bullets, cannons and bombs to kill a Filipino. I could hardly move my
finger to sign a document buying things just to kill my fellowmen.
Masakit. Masakit sa loob,”.
It can be recalled that Marites Flor, one of the ASG’s hostages who
was among Robert Hall and John Ridsel whom they beheaded recently. On
Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that the Abu
Sayaff is attemtpting to do the same and has kidnapped seven Indonesians
sailors in the Sulu Sea last june 22.
Despite these hideous crimes, Duterte still hope that it can be
resolved with peace talks. “I’m talking to the communists right now. I
might succeed,” he said. He appealed to the rebels to honor the
declaration of a ceasefire that would be followed by the resumption of
the peace talks government and the Communist Party of the
Philippines-National Democratic Front on the 3rd week of July.
Furthermore, Duterte said that he is also in process of communication
with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation
Front about coming up to “whatever arrangement is acceptable for all.”
“Kung mawawala ang droga at mawawala ang kriminal, masasabi ko na pwede
ko nang talikuran ang mundong ito at masasabi kong magagawa ko na ang
aking gusto,” he said.
He added that he would only feel accomplished if he can succeed not
just in eliminating drugs and crime but if he can bring the lasting
peace in the country.
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