The President said the government has all the resources to annihilate the Abu Sayyaf and finish the group.
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The military has been aggressively operating against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu after Duterte ordered an offensive following the beheading of a young hostage last week.
President Duterte had ordered to destroy Abu Sayyaf after the kidnap-for-ransom group beheaded James Patric Almodovar last week.
The military reported that 15 soldiers died Monday in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu while two other soldiers sustained injuries.
He said a team from the Philippine Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion and 21st Infantry Battalion fought around 120 members of the Abu Sayyaf.
“Kill them, destroy them”, he said, referring to his orders to the military. He also said they were yet to determine the extent of casualty suffered by the militant group.
And while admitting that the road will be rough, Visaya said the AFP, despite casualties, will continue with its duty to eradicate these bandits and end their terrorist threat.
Padilla placed Abu Sayyaf losses since Friday at 27. Kuttong, in Talipao. Two soldiers were wounded.
The Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya said: “As we gaze at the national flag that flies at half mast anew, soldiers knew that one too many hero among them has again offered his life-that others may live”. “We’re having five battalions or about 2,500 people”, he added. Ed Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office said in a statement.
“I am very sorry to say but there will be no peace talks about these things with the Abu Sayyaf”, he said August 1.
According to the Philippine Star, the militants were led by Abu Sayyaf commander Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed fighter on the Philippines and the US’ wanted list for his role in bombings, kidnappings and other acts.
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It is among two militant groups in the south who have pledged allegiance to Daesh, prompting fears during the stalling of a peace process between the government and the country’s biggest Moro group that it could make inroads in a region torn by decades of armed conflict.
