MILF Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said while they are still waiting for reports confirming that the Maute terror group wants them to mediate, they are willing to help ease tensions in the city after consultations with the President.
"We want very much to help ease the tension in Marawi City. Of course, who does not want to be involved in returning peace to Marawi city so that our people there-- our Maranao brothers and sisters can once again live in peace together again for their families," Jaafar said Tuesday.
However, Jaafar stated that they will discuss the matter if they receive an official request from the President for they cannot state that the MILF will directly negotiate with the Maute group in the future.
Jaafar's statement comes after reports that the Maute group is willing to withdraw from Marawi if the MILF will intervene to help end the crisis.
He pointed out that the MILF will not attempt any action without coordinating with the President and the government.
He said the rebel group is taking the information very carefully, as they do not want to be compromised.
"We do not want to undertake unilateral action on our part without consulting first our President regarding such issue because at this moment in time we know this issue is of national concern-- is of national interest," Jaafar said.
Jaafar also called out to the Maute group to release their hostage Father Chito Suganob, who is said to alive and still held captive by the terrorists.
"We're appealing again to those-- whoever is holding the good father Chito to please release him," Jaafar said.
Reports states that the Maute offered to release Suganob in exchange for the release of the Maute brother's parents, Cayamora Maute and Ominta Romato Maute, a.k.a. "Farhana", who are detained in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
Jaafar stated that the priest took part in the peace process between the MILF and the government and had been actively working for the success of peace iniatives in the region even during the previous administration. He also added that the Islam teaches respect of other religious beliefs, leaders, women and the elderly during times of war.
"During the time of prophet Mohammad ay ginalang po yung mga [we respect the] religious leaders na people of the book referring to the Christian sapagkat in Islam kahit sa gera, ginagalang yang mga pari, mga religious leaders, matanda, babae [in Islam, even in war, we respect priests, religious leaders, the elderly, women]-- non combatants in other words," he said.
However, President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans of sparing the Maute terrorist group. No negotiation will happen between the government and the ISIS-linked terrorist group who have oppressed a city in Mindanao.
"I will not talk to you. Whatever the leaders of the group say, I don’t care. that is why make sure you fight well because I have ordered to bring the heads of these sons of the bitches," Duterte stated. "You started a wrong cause. We did not ask for it. You were all along brutal and cruel. I won’t allow it," he added during a speech at the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.
The President stated that he had already lost too many soldiers and policemen from the attacks and outrage caused by the militants in Marawi City and he also stated that it was too late to talk peace and stipulated that he wants them dead even if they kill hostages.
The siege in Marawi City has been dragged for almost two weeks now and and the fight to redeem the city is still ongoing.
Since the battle began, there are at least 178 people killed - 120 militants, 20 civilians and 38 soldiers and policemen.
During his speech to peace talks advocates at an air base in the central city of Lapu-Lapu, President Duterte stated that he was asked to negotiate with the Maute group but he will not, saying they can kill all their hostages but there will be no talks and ordered military soldiers to shoot them dead.
Patayin na ninyo ang lahat na hawak ninyo. Hindi ako makikipag-usap sa inyo. Wala akong pakialam ano ang gawin ninyo," he said. "I will not talk to any terrorist. I have crossed the bridge. Ubusan na tayo. If you want to invade another city, fine. Hindi ako aatras. Ubusan na tayo. Yong haka-hakang peace talks? Forget about it," he stated.
"I’m not ready to talk to any terrorist. Mag kaubusan na tayo dyan. We have cross the Rubicon. Hindi ako aatras diyan. Mag-ubusan tayo para matapos na," the President said.
After government troops ceased fires for four hours in Sunday for a "humanitarian cause", almost 179 people were saved.So far, nearly 1, 500 trapped residents were rescued.
President Duterte met up with soldiers and policemen who successfully neutealized all 11 Abu Sayyaf who infiltrated Bohol on April 10 in Lapu-Lapu City. He ordered all soldiers to execute all terrorist in Mindanao.
Several operations against the local militants lasted for over a month.
"My order is to shoot to kill. If you encounter those idiots, kill them. Barilin ninyo sa ulo. Isali pa ninyo ang puso. Problem pa natin kung saan sila ilagay. Baka, iliberate pa sila ng kanilang mga kasamahan," he said. “Dalhin ninyo ang mga ulo ng mga iyan. They started it. They were brutal and cruel. That I cannot allow. We will deal with them just as we would deal with any terrorists," he added.
The president also stated that the job could've been done in 24 hours, saying that they can fight like rebels but since it is the government is bounded by rules, agreements and treaties.
"I can finish the job in 24 hours. All I have to do is to use our air assets, bomb and flatten the place. The government can do that. What hampers us is we can’t fight like the rebels. We are mandated to preserve our country and people,” he said. “We can’t fire at will at the people because we are government bounded by rules, agreements, and treaties."
Source: CNN
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