Duterte denies wanting talks with Maute terrorists

President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo by ACE MORANDANTE / Malacañang)

President Rodrigo Duterte denied on Thursday a news report claiming he was about to make a deal with the Maute terrorists but later aborted the plan.

A Reuters report had quoted Agakhan Sharief, a prominent Muslim leader, saying a Duterte aide approached him for back-channel talks with the Maute terrorists. The report, quoting two sources, said Duterte “had worked behind the scenes to hold talks with the Maute brothers.”

“I did not, he is a pretender. I never talked to terrorists. That’s one I would never talk to criminal and terrorists but I will talk to revolutionaries who are imbued with principles,” he said in an ambush interview during his visit to the 403rd Infantry Brigade in Bukidnon.

He denied initiating talks with the Maute terrorists.

“Well, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front probably have started initiatives there. But kung manggaling sa akin, ako maghingi sa criminal pati mga terorista? Imposible,” he said.

He cited many of the government’s soldiers and police have died in the Marawi siege.

“Marami na akong patay na sundalo pati pulis. ‘Wag nila ako biruin na storya-storya lang tayo. If there has to be peace, it would really be peace. ‘Wag nyo ko laruin na away ngayon tapos bukas… let us finish this once and for all,” he said. JE