(Eagle News)– Both Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) received directives from President Rodrigo Duterte to ‘destroy’ the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) after the beheading Patrick Almodovar on Wednesday.
The President was informed of the incident during an early morning press conference in Davao City.
“Yung bata? That’s why i’m sending the troops there and tell them to destroy. My orders to the police and to the armed forces, against all enemies of the state, seek them out and destroy them. Ang mga droga, destroy them. Ang mga Abu Sayaff, destroy them. Period,” he said.
This year, ASG beheaded two Canadians, John Risdell and Robert Hall.
The two Canadians were kidnapped along with Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor on Samal Island in Davao last year.
Flor was already released last June. As to the Norwegian, Duterte said that they already paid the terrorist group.
No further details were given about the payment.
Duterte expressed his dismay and laments on the group.
“Diyan ako nawalan ako ng bilib sa inyo. I have this little connection by blood with you but you know, nawalan talaga ako ng bilib sa inyo. Although hindi ako Tausug, more on the Maranao side. Hindi ako bilib sa inyo,” Duterte said.
