Duterte appeals to Abu Sayyaf to surrender, talk to govt

March 26, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte appealed on Monday to the Abu Sayyaf Group to stop from its terrorist activities, surrender, and talk with the government.

In a speech in Jolo, Sulu, Duterte said this is now the right time for the ASG members to  heed the call of a leader as his successor might be hard on them and even order their bombardment, especially now that the government has 12 jet fighters.

"I’d like to tell you now, if somebody is listening: Stop it. Stop it," he said.

"I want to talk to you so that we can understand each other. Please try to do it my time. Because if it's no longer under my time, it's not within my control anymore. And even the military, I cannot say, 'stop the operation in the meantime or you slow down first to allow an atmosphere (which is conducive)'," Duterte said.

Duterte said he also wants to talk with the Abu Sayyaf to know their sentiment on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

But he reiterated what he could not give up in the BBL is the control of the national government to the military and police.

"The regional armed forces,  as well as the regional police, it stays with the commander-in-chief," he said.

Duterte also welcomed Abu Sayyaf surrenderees during the event.

The military's Western Mindanao Command said recently that 36 Abu Sayyaf members have surrendered from January 1 to March 6. Celerina Monte/DMS