Duterte to visit Cotabato this Tuesday

GUNMEN FLEE Soldiers who battled militants belonging to pro-Islamic State Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who occupied a market in Datu Piglas, Maguindanao, are seen on a highway after sending the gunmen fleeing the firefight on Saturday. —JEOFFREY MAITEM

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will visit Cotabato this Tuesday after the extremist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) occupied Datu Piglas town in Maguindanao over the weekend, Malacañang said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will deliver a message to the Islamic State-linked group that the government will not tolerate violence.

“Mamaya po ay tutungo po ng Cotabato ang ating Presidente,” Roque said Tuesday in an interview over state-run Radyo Pilipinas.

(The President will go to Cotabato later.)

“Makipagusap po siya dun at talagang ang… ipararating niyang mensahe sa BIFF na siya ang kanyang katungkulan ay ipagpatupad ang batas at hindi pupuwede na patuloy na gumagamit ng dahas laban sa kapwa Pilipino,” he added.

(He will have dialogue there to send a message to the BIIF that under his administration, the law will be implemented, and using violence against fellow Filipinos will not be tolerated.)

On May 8, over 100 gunmen from the BIFF occupied Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao leading to a gun battle between the said group and the military. The town was retook following a six-hour standoff.

No casualties were reported.

EDV