Terror bandits Abu Sayyaf wants to instill a message that they remain to be a potent force and will always be ready to engage government forces to defend their territory.
In a report by the news website of ABS-CBN, ASG spokesman Abu Rami claims their group is responsible for the deadly bombing that killed 15 innocent people and wounded 71 others at a busy night market Friday night in Davao City.
Rami also asserted in his same statement that their group and international terror affiliate ISIS are united in their attempt to prove their worth against the Philippine government.
“This is only an initial, not a beginning but only an initial, ito ay ipinapakita lang namin na ang IS ay may unity na, may pagkakaisa na sa Pilipinas, at ito ay sinimulan namin para ipahiwatig namin sa Presidente Duterte na kami ay hinde natatakot sa kung sino-sino,” stated Rami. “Kahit ipadala niya pa dito ang lahat ng tropa ng Pilipinas dito sa Jolo, kung sinasabi niya yung tactics niya na gi-giyerahin niya kami, makuha niya kami lahat, sino ba siya?”
Recently, Duterte ordered an all-out attack against the ASG after the group beheaded their 18-year-old hostage identified as Patrick Almodovar.
“Yun ay pauna lamang, dahil kung titingnan natin ay parang itinarget niya talaga ang Jolo, Sulu, kaya gaya nga ng sinabi namin na itatarget din namin kung saan siya nanggaling,” Rami said.