(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte warned the terrorist Maute group not to set conditions on the Philippine government after it demanded that the military stop its attacks.
Duterte said on Monday (December 12) that the Maute Group has threatened to burn Marawi City if the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would not stop its attacks on their forces.
“Itong Maute… It was carried by a Moro ambassador, former, sabi niya na, ‘Maghinto sila basta huminto ang military sa operation’,” Duterte said during a speech.
“Sabi ko, ‘No, no, no. You do not put any condition.’ Ako ‘yung gobyerno. Bakit ako maghinto? And then they threatened to go down from the mountains to burn Marawi,” Duterte added.
“Go ahead, be my guest. We will wait for you there. Walang problema. Bakit sunugin mo ang Marawi? Those are things that sabi ko, no. I am the government. Do not place conditions on my shoulder,” Duterte stressed.
The Maute Group vowed allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). It had earlier claimed responsibility for the deadly Davao night market blast.
In November, the bandit group captured several areas in Butig, Lanao Del Sur.
The AFP, however, was able to retake the town on November 30 after intense firefighting where at least 60 Maute terrorists were killed.
