Rody to Muslims: Help end Abu menace

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Muslim communities should  help convince the Abu Sayyaf to stop its illegal activities and work for peace under his administration, President Duterte said.  

“Tell them, as a brother Muslim, stop it,” Duterte said during his visit to Barangay Labuan in this city on Thursday to distribute cash assistance to families who lost their homes in a fire on Sunday.

Duterte said he is willing to visit an Abu Sayyaf camp to meet wounded bandits.

“If you know of any wounded Abu Sayyaf... tell them that I will also go there. I am not kidding. I will go there with civilians. What will they get if they will kill me? I will go to Jolo,” the President said.

Duterte reiterated his appeal to the Abu Sayyaf to stop its criminal activities. 

“I come in peace. I heard that you are angry with me. Why are you angry with me? What did I do for you to get angry?” he asked.

Duterte reiterated his appeal to Abu Sayyaf bandits not to harm or behead innocent people, saying it is not in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

The President said it would be easy to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf, but he is willing to talk peace with them.  

He said the bandits should stop kidnappings, noting that they are not paying taxes for the ransom they received.

“You should pay taxes because you earn millions,” the President said. “Kidnappings should stop. We, Malays, are not like that. We are not as vicious as the Arabs. I’m not insulting the Arabs, but that’s how they fight,” Duterte said.

‘Don’t kidnap me’

During his visit to Jolo on Friday, the President, who also distributed cash assistance to fire victims in two barangays, said he is the only leader who understands the plight of Mindanaoans, particularly Muslims.

Duterte said he has Moro blood while his grandsons from his son Paolo have Tausug and Maranao roots.

“Don’t kidnap your own President. You look for victims elsewhere... Not me,” he said, reiterating that the Abu Sayyaf has nothing to gain from him.

Finish the mission

Meanwhile, 12 soldiers wounded in recent military offensives against the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul and Talipao in Sulu vowed to finish off the bandits.

The soldiers, who are confined at the Camp Navarro General Hospital, each received the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan medal, a gun, a cell phone and cash as incentives from the President.

They said they were motivated by the support of the President.

“We want to return to the frontline to finish our mission,” one of the soldiers said. 

Duterte said he is ready to give awards to terrorists if they would change their ways. – With Christina Mendez, Edith Regalado