Ejercito: Duterte should declare all-out war vs Abu Sayyaf

BLAST SITE President Duterte visits the night market on Roxas Avenue in Davao City where 14 people were killed and 68 others injured after an explosion tore through what Davaoeños call their happy place. Malacañang photo

Senator JV Ejercito on Sunday said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong stance against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

“Kung kayang tapusin na tapusin na yan kasi hindi naman titigil yan eh. Kung kinakailangan mag-all out war, mag-all out war na,” he told Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

“We cannot afford another bombing,” he said as he explained his agreement with Duterte’s decision to declare a state of lawlessness in the country.

“Precautionary measure itong ginawa nya,” he said, adding that the declaration allows the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to be alert and work together.

He said the “state of lawlessness” would probably last for a couple of weeks or months until the enemy is neutralized or if there are no other attacks.

Ejercito said it is better to be careful than be blamed if something happens again.

Some groups raised fears that Duterte would declare martial law as the government battles both terrorists and drug lords.

But Ejercito pointed out that Duterte made it clear that the “state of lawlessness” is different from declaring martial law.

The senator, who is  temporarily suspended from office due to a graft case, said the President’s situation reminded him of his own predicament as San Juan mayor.

He said he ordered the purchase of high-powered rifles to address the almost daily incidents of bank robberies and holdups.

READ: JV Ejercito suspended from Senate

“Kaya ako naman umaksyon, nag-armas kami. Yun nga lang naging subject ito ng aming kaso. Pero kung ikaw ay leader you have to adapt to the situation,” he said.

The senator also recalled the time when his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Even the MILF is on the run already. Kung hindi lang naudlot ang termino ni Pangulong Estrada siguro tapos na ang problemang iyan,” he said.

However, Ejercito said the main problem is still the prevalence of poverty in Mindanao.

He said the government should focus on defeating the enemy and concentrate resources to address hunger and poverty in the region. He said it is easier for the rebel groups to recruit people who are hungry and disgruntled./rga

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