The government is planning to build housing units for Muslims willing to promote peace in the South, President Duterte announced during his visit to Sulu last Tuesday.
The President renewed his pitch for peace in Mindanao and offered assistance to Muslims who choose peace over violence when he spoke before government troops at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo.
The commander-in-chief was in Sulu mainly to visit soldiers and honor those injured in a recent encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“The President then called on the Moro people to make peace with his government stressing the readiness of his administration to extend assistance,” a Palace press statement read. “For instance, President Duterte said he would ask the National Housing Authority to build shelters for the Moros, especially the Tausugs,” it added.
Duterte also affirmed his resolve to combat terrorism and violent extremism, saying he would not tolerate the brutality of these lawless elements. “Highlighting the threat posed by violent extremism, he said Islam is a great religion but it has been corrupted by the Islamist extremists. He vowed not to tolerate their brutality,” the Palace press statement read.
The President made the remarks after a Dutch hostage was recently killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group while he tried to flee during a battle with troops in Sulu. The government has denounced the killing of Ewold Horn, who was taken hostage since 2012, and vowed to run after his killers.
The President previously ruled out any peace negotiation with the Abu Sayyaf Group, saying these Islamic State-linked bandits do nothing but kill and destroy. He claimed that the Abu Sayyaf members were “morally bankrupt” and “kill people for nothing.”
“The Abu Sayyaf is one group which cannot be a partner in a negotiation. Hindi talaga ako makipag-usap because they kill, they destroy, and totally bankrupt ng morality,” Duterte said in a speech in Pasig City last month. (Genalyn Kabiling)