PATIKUL, Sulu, Philippines — President Duterte appealed to Abu Sayyaf bandits not to harm or kill their hostages even as he gave assurance that he would welcome those who want to surrender.
“I would like to tell you now if somebody is listening, stop it. Stop it… If (the hostages) have no money, why kill them?... I am not angry at you. Stop it because it does not look good,” the President said during his visit to the Western Mindanao Command on Monday for the presentation of 76 Abu Sayyaf surrenderees.
“I’m pleading... All I’m asking you with all my heart is peace for all,” Duterte said.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding three Indonesians, a Vietnamese, a Dutch man and five Filipinos.
“We cannot do anything for those who choose to fight, but for those who are interested, the government is ready,” the President said.
The Chief Executive said he could easily neutralize the Abu Sayyaf with daily bombings, but noted that killing everyone “would not prove anything.”
Like former communist rebels, Duterte said Abu Sayyaf surrenderees would be provided housing and livelihood assistance.
“I just want to treat everybody equally and give opportunity... to everybody,” Duterte said.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the presence of the hostages is the only thing keeping the military from wiping out the Abu Sayyaf.
Sobejana said military offensives are calculated to ensure the safety of the kidnap victims.
“Our priority now is to recover the kidnap victims so that our operations will not be restricted,” Sobejana said.
He said 10 battalions are pursuing around 300 Abu Sayyaf bandits operating in Sulu. – With Edith Regalado, Jaime Laude