Duterte: No compromise with Maute terrorists

MANILA, Philippines -  Deeply saddened by the death of soldiers in the battle of Marawi City, President Duterte yesterday vowed he would give no quarter to Maute extremists.

“I will never, never compromise with the terrorists,” Duterte told the audience at the 50th founding anniversary of Davao del Norte.

Duterte deplored how the Maute terrorists have “corrupted” Islam.

The President mentioned the two mainstream rebel groups, Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that, he said, were fighting for ideology and rights of Muslims in Mindanao.

“They (Maute group) have no ideology. They have corrupted Islam. You gain nothing from their nationalism,” Duterte said.

“We will not go out there until the last terrorist is executed,” he added.

Duterte said he was disheartened over why his fellow Maranaos allowed the Maute group to take hold of Marawi City.

He said the Mautes were able to stockpile their weapons in preparation for their bid to establish an Islamic State caliphate in Mindanao.

“Sometimes I cry for the soldiers who died fighting these terrorists. I am the commander-in-chief,” he said.

“I am also angry for my compatriot Maranaos… why did you allow the terrorists to come in?” he asked.

Duterte stressed the fighting in Marawi will continue until the last Maute gunman is taken out.

In his speech that followed in Davao del Sur last night, the 72-year-old Chief Executive also revealed he has been praying that the war will end soon.

He said he felt “more in shame” for sending soldiers to the war that caused the loss of precious lives.

Duterte had shown his compassionate side, having to deal with sorrow over learning about the rising death toll of soldiers and civilians. The massive destruction had also taken a toll on the war-torn city.

“So every time I read the casualties, it’s very unsettling. I do not know what I will do, but I cannot stop the fighting because I will never, never, never compromise with terrorism,” he said.

Duterte also said he is not happy with the way the government has suffered casualties during the conflict.

“I am today with a heavy heart because by the time I reach home, there is a briefer which reveals the narratives,” he told the crowd.

“It’s a sort of a journal like the police but it’s thick, it’s a narrative of today’s events that’s happening in Marawi and I get to read the so many soldiers and police who are dying,” Duterte added.

Duterte said he just needed to face the fact that he needed to implement stronger measures for a greater responsibility – which is to preserve the Filipino and defend the Republic.

“I have this guilt feelings but this is my job. My only consoling issue there is that I have to do it because it is my constitutional duty to preserve and defend the Filipino people,” he said.

“If there is one person in this Republic, in this country who is really traveling with a heavy heart, it’s me because I ordered the Armed Forces and the police to go there and fight and perhaps, to die,” he said.