Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa defended President Duterte’s directive to shoot and kill Abu Sayyaf bandits even if it could also harm their hostages, saying it was not the President’s intention.
According to Dela Rosa, the President is determined to end the problem of the Abu Sayyaf, which is involved in kidnap-for-ransom incidents mostly victimizing foreigners in Mindanao, adding that armed clashes sometimes have collateral damage that are not intentional.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have clarified that the military would pursue the Abu Sayyaf but would keep in mind that it should still minimize the loss of lives.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said it is still up to the military how to carry out its operations.
According to Padilla, this is the reason why soldiers and the police go through a hard process of training and readiness so that they can discharge their functions properly “at the least cost of life.”
He said President Duterte’s pronouncements are strong and aggressive because such are his traits as a former mayor of Davao City and a pure Bisaya.
Padilla said President Duterte’s pronouncements are operational orders that he has given to the AFP, which the military treats as guidance and takes seriously.
“But in the implementation of those guidance, we apply our skills and our operational art, it’s an operational art,” he added.
Source: Philippine Star
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