(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, June 19, told soldiers not to surrender to the Abu Sayyaf if they find themselves in dire straits in combat.
Duterte said he has seen, after all, how some soldiers who gave themselves up would be decapitated by the kidnap-for-ransom group and would “only be treated like dogs” in the group’s camp.
“So do not ever surrender, especially that part of the warzone sa Jolo. Kasi ho bababuyin lang kayo. After the end of the day, they will decapitate you,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf has reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, an international terrorist group.
Abu Sayyaf members were behind the 2017 beheading of German Jurgen Kantner, who had been kidnapped in exchange for a $600,000 ransom.
In January, they were also reportedly behind the beheading of Roel Parreno, a civilian whom they suspected of giving information to the authorities that led to the arrest of one of their companions.
