Duterte on Abu Sayyaf: ‘There will be a reckoning’

There’s more fun in a country that’s free from terrorists.

Speaking before businessmen in Davao City on Tue, Jun 21, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said that there will definitely be a day of reckoning with terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

“I cannot do it just immediately. There are things that I need which we do not have now. But there will be a time, there will be a reckoning. And when it comes, I will just say ‘Surrender unconditionally. Release all prisoners, hostages or we fight,'” Duterte explained.

Duterte said he must first get a “firm commitment” from  Moro groups in ongoing talks that they themselves have “peaceful intentions.”

Duterte said, “As soon as I get that guarantee na talagang peaceful ang intentions [nila] and [they] are not protecting terrorists… And when I have it in my hands, I’ll be ready to confront.”

(“As soon as I get that guarantee that their intentions are peaceful and they are not protecting terrorists… And when I have it in my hands, I’ll be ready to confront [the Abu Sayyaf].”)

It may be recalled that last week, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded one of its hostages, Canadian Robert Hall and said they did it “to challenge Duterte.”

READ: Abu Sayyaf spokesman: We beheaded Canadian hostage to challenge Duterte




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