Dureza: Talks with Abu Sayyaf to continue for hostages’ release

From GMA News (Jun 27): Dureza: Talks with Abu Sayyaf to continue for hostages’ release

The incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will have to continue negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to facilitate the release of hostages, incoming peace adviser Jesus Dureza said Monday.

In an interview aired on Unang Balita, Dureza said the incoming administration cannot take a single approach in dealing with the militant group because the situation on the ground is complex.

“Komplikado ang sitwasyon. You cannot put it in one box,” he said when asked whether the Duterte administration’s policy regarding the Abu Sayyaf will be negotiation or launching an offensive.

“It has to be a calibrated approach,” Dureza added.

The incoming peace adviser said the government cannot easily order the bombardment of suspected turfs of the local terror group because there are communities, families, and hostages involved.

Dureza said negotiations are necessary because innocent lives are at stake.

“In fairness, we have to talk to them (Abu Sayyaf) to save lives, but it’s not in the context of peace, unlike with the other groups. The full force of the law will have to be applied here,” he said.

Last week, the ASG agreed to release their Filipina captive, Marites Flor.

Dureza said that no ransom was paid for Flor's release.

Flor was kidnapped along with Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad  and Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel on Samal Island in September 2015.
The bandit group had beheaded the two Canadians.

Dureza said they are still negotiating the release of Sekkingstad.

Before the release of Flor, the military said that the bandit group was still holding at least seven hostages, including the Norwegian national.

The military confirmed on Sunday that the ASG kidnapped seven Indonesian crewmen in the Sulu Sea last week.

Not an enemy

During a thanksgiving party in Cebu on Saturday night, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said he does not consider the Abu Sayyaf an enemy but asked the group to clarify whether it wants to be seen by the government in an adversarial way.

“Abu Sayyaf, hindi ko sila kalaban. I know that is connected with the issue of Mindanao. Nais ko lang linawin, sila ba? Are they willing to talk or just fight it out?” he asked.

Although Duterte’s camp has negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of Flor, Dureza clarified that opening lines of communication does not mean the government will talk peace with group.

“Yung sinasabing negosasyon, napakababaw naman ng basa ng ibang media. Nung sinabi kong makikipag-negosasyon ako sa Abu Sayyaf, ang sabi nila, ‘ano yan, negosasyon tulad ng sa MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)? I have been negotiating with them (Abu Sayyaf) for the release of the hostages,” he said.

Earlier this month, Dureza and other peace negotiators appointed by Duterte flew to Oslo, Norway to discuss the prospect of resuming peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).

The dialogue ended with the two parties agreeing to restart peace negotiations on the third week of July.

Duterte said he is also holding dialogue with the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front about ironing “whatever arrangement is acceptable for all.”

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/571441/news/nation/dureza-talks-with-abu-sayyaf-to-continue-for-hostages-release