Palace willing to help ex-Maute members who surrendered to gov’t

In this file photo, President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the confiscated firearms in one of his visits in Camp Ranao. President Duterte checks the high-powered firearms from Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the protracted battle for Marawi City. ARMY PHOTO

MARAWI CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte said he was willing to be visited by the 25 surrendered Maute group members in Malacañang so they could chat.

“I told them ‘go to Malacañang and we will talk,’” Duterte said in a speech here.

He said he even told the surrendered Maute gunmen he would send them to Malaysia so they can study there.

“You study how to plant rubber and palm oil there,” he said.

Duterte said while palm oil trees might be difficult to grow in Marawi City because of the terrain, the place is ideal for rubber.

He cited the case of North Cotabato, where rubber grew “up to the top of the mountain.”

He said all that was needed was diligence and perseverance to cultivate and grow the crop. /jpv