Duterte open to have peace talks with Abu Sayyaf

December 18, 2018

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he is open to have peace talks with the Abu Sayyaf.

At the ceremony activating the Army’s 11th Infantry Division in Jolo,  Duterte asked the leadership of Abu Sayyaf to end violence for a possible reconciliation talks. 

"If they will stop, I'm willing to go to their place…let’s talk,”  Duterte said in his speech.

"I cannot allow my soldiers being ambushed and killed while I am the commander-in-chief. And this has been going on for the last so many years. We are wasting bullets that can still be used to build houses,”  Duterte added. 

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. General Edgard Arevalo earlier said the new Army unit was created to focus on counter-terrorism against Abu Sayyaf  and their symphatizers. 

"We cannot always discount the possibilities of supporters and sympathizers that continue to lurk in the island. The unit shall be oriented, armed, and equipped to address the peculiarity of the enemy, weather, and terrain,” Arevalo said

Last week, lawmakers extended Duterte’s martial law request for one more year in Mindanao after security officials claim militants continued to pose threats. DMS