(Eagle News) — The Philippine government does not negotiate with terrorists.
This was the strong statement issued by Malacanang amid reports that there were some religious emissaries who had been talking with Abdullah Maute, one of the Maute brothers who led the Marawi attack on May 23.
“The government’s policy not to negotiate with terrorists remains,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
“Hence the local religious leaders-led talks with the terrorists is not sanctioned by our government, the military and the political leaders,” he said.
“Any demands made inside therefore hold no basis,” Abella stressed.
He said that the gravity of the offense of the Maute terrorists and the other Islamist militants who participated in the Marawi attack, including that of their supporters and sympathizers, was “immense and they must be held accountable for their actions.”
Abella said government forces were out to defeat the terrorists, and the military was, in fact, continuing with the clearing operations in Marawi City.
On Sunday, June 25, eight Muslim religious leaders allegedly talked with Abdullah Maute so that the Maute group could release more hostages during the eight-hour humanitarian pause implemented by the government forces because of the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan.
During the talk, Abdullah Maute allegedly wanted the release of his parents, Cayamora and Farhana Maute who were both arrested and continue to be detained in Metro Manila, in exchange for the release of Catholic priest, Teresito “Chito” Suganob whom the Mautes are holding hostage.
When asked about this, Abella repeated: “As I’ve said the government’s policy is not to negotiate with terrorists.”
The Mautes are allegedly still holding about a hundred hostages whom they are using as “human shields,” ammunition carriers and stretcher-bearers.
