DND chief backs Duterte’s plan to hold talks with ASG

This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the Senate hearing on the Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) Monday. (PNA Photo)

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has expressed his strong support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to talk peace with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists especially those who have not committed any capital offenses.

“Yes, I do. If we have peace talks with the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) why not the ASG? Especially those who have not committed capital offenses,” he said in a message to reporters Saturday.

He clarified, however, that those who have brutally decapitated civilian and military hostages must be held accountable for their atrocities.

Duterte has renewed his call to dialogue with the ASG on Friday, a day after he signed the landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which seeks to create a new Bangsamoro political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Abu Sayyaf, mag-usap na lang tayo (let’s talk),” the Chief Executive said in a speech during his visit to fire victims in Jolo, Sulu.

“Ano bang gawain natin? Magpatayan tayong lahat? Ako, pwede niyo akong patayin maski saan. Anong makukuha ninyo? (What are we going to do? Kill each other? Me, you can kill me anywhere. But what will you gain?),” he added.