MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte wants to end the killings of troops in Jolo, Sulu, a known hotbed of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Mindanao.
“Tapusin na natin ito,” Duterte said in a speech at the closing ceremony of a motorcycle riding course in Davao City on Friday, referring to the killings of state troops during encounters with the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
He reiterated that he would be sending an entire military division to Jolo to fight the ASG.
READ: Duterte orders augmentation of troops in Jolo
“In a few days, I’m transferring one division sa Jolo. Nagsawa na ako, fortnight ago, nag-usap kami…I indicated to them my disappointment kung bakit ganun, sige na lang tayo, namatayan tayo ng apat, nakapatay tayo ng isa,” he said.
He said he was saddened when he recently visited the wake of soldiers in Jolo.
“Of course, I was not happy. Nakasimangot ako, and I said, kawawa naman ang sundalo ko. So nung nasa Jolo ako sabi ko bigyan ko kayo ng armas lahat, sa Army may armas sila, ang main weapon nila rifle and they have secondary,” he said.