Duterte: No talks with Abu Sayyaf terrorists

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte made it clear there will never be talks with the Abu Sayyaf even if government is reaching out to different rebel groups for a peaceful resolution.

“I will never, never, never talk with the Abu Sayyaf. There is no way to negotiate with terrorists,” Duterte told a peace assembly in Cotabato City on Friday.

The President brushed aside any chance of talks with the Abu Sayyaf as he was also making a pitch for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in tomorrow’s plebiscite in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The President lamented how the Abu Sayyaf thrived on banditry and kidnapping of foreigners.

The Abu Sayyaf is known to behead its hostages unless ransom payments are made. It gained global notoriety for kidnappings, beheadings and deadly bombings while its leaders have also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

The President emphasized he would not talk with the Abu Sayyaf unlike his previous stand in July last year that he would talk with the extremist group.

Duterte called for a united front against the IS and its affiliates.

The President deplored the violence now prevailing in the world with the killings that have been happening everywhere in the world.

During the peace assembly, Duterte assured the Bangsamoro people that there will be least disturbance or interference in running the autonomous government and that land will be distributed fairly.

“I guarantee you that there will be the least disturbance or interference. Lands are distributed fairly, justly. Resources divided by the Moro who are there in possession of the land,” the President said.

Duterte added the sprawling Liguasan Marsh will be for the Bangsamoro people.

“The legendary Liguasan Marsh, they say it will provide so many things in life. O ‘di inyo (That’s yours), no one ever attempted really to intrude into that territory (anyway),” the President said.