Determined to destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group, President Duterte is mulling to hire Gurkhas, the renowned group of fearless Nepalese fighters, to help government forces in eliminating these “germs” in the country.
The President met with members of the Cabinet security cluster in Davao City late Saturday night and considered the option of recruiting the Gurkha warriors against the ASG members, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
Piñol was among the Cabinet members present in the closed-door security meeting, held a day after the deadly night market explosion in Davao City. The Abu Sayyaf group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
“If I have to hire the Gurkhas to help us fight the Abu Sayyaf, I am willing to do it,” Piñol quoted the President during the meeting that lasted until 4 a.m. Sunday. “These people are like germs which must be eliminated,” Duterte added.
Gurkhas, known for their motto “Better to die than be a coward,” have been been part of the British Army for almost two centuries. They are widely considered as the most skilled and fiercest fighters in the world.
Piñol, in a Facebook post, said Duterte believed that there was “no other option” but use force against the Abu Sayyaf, which has been responsible for many atrocities in Mindanao.
“You started this. I wanted to talk to you but you leave me with no choice,” the President told the ASG terrorists.
In the same meeting, Piñol said the President has asked the public to prepare for reprisals from the Abu Sayyaf group.
“I am calling on the nation to prepare for reprisals. There will be sacrifices to be made but we have to address this problem once and for all,” the President said.
President Duterte earlier placed the country under state of lawlessness shortly after the Davao explosion. He has directed the military to help the police in suppressing terror and violence in the country. (GENALYN KABILING)