LOOK: Duterte Orders Troops to Wipe Out Abu Sayyaf After Beheading of Teen Hostage

A visibly angry President Rodrigo Duterte repeated his order to the military to destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group after hearing the news that an 18-year-old captive was beheaded by the terrorist group.

“Yung bata? [the kid?] That’s why I’m sending the troops there and tell them to destroy. My orders to the police and to the armed forces, against all enemies of the state, seek them out and destroy them. Ang mga droga [drugs], destroy them… the Abu Sayaff, destroy them. Period,” the president said during an early press conference in Davao City on Thursday, August 25.

The President, who claimed he was somewhat connected to the Abu Sayyaf through ethnic relations, said he completely lost belief in the group.

“I have this little connection by blood with you but you know, nawalan talaga ako ng bilib sa inyo [I’ve lost my belief in you. Although I’m not a Tausug, more on the Maranao side, but I no longer believe in you],” he said.

He vowed that he will be harsh on the terrorist group.

“I’ll be harsh. Not just a campaign. Go out and destroy them. Huwag na kayo magtanong ng human rights. (Don’t ask about human rights),” the president said.

A GMA News Online article cited Major Felimon Tan, the spokesman of Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who said the decapitated head of Patrick Almodovar was found in Barangy Kajatian, Indanan in Sulu province on Wednesday, August 24, around 7:30 p.m.

Tan said the teener’s head was wrapped in a plastic bag. Witnesses said three men onboard a motorcycle left behind the bag. As per an Inquirer article, the captive was killed after his family failed to raise the P1-million ransom being asked by the terrorist group.

source: gmanetwork