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The Philippine government sticks to its policy of no negotiating with extemists allied with the Islamic State (IS) that overran Marawi City in the southern Philippines in May, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.
Ernesto Abella said the talks initiated by Muslim religious leaders last Sunday to negotiate for the release of about 150 hostages in the besieged city in the spirit of Islamic holiday Eid-al-Fitr were not sanctioned by the government, the military and the political leaders.
"The government policy is not to negotiate with terrorists. Any demands made inside, therefore, hold no basis," Abella told a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace.
He stressed the need to punish the extremists who have wreaked havoc to the Philippines' only Islamic City and forced more than 200,000 residents to flee to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Abella was reacting to a statement made by Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command, that five imams or Muslim leaders entered the rebel-controlled areas in the city during the eighth-hour unilateral ceasefire declared by the government on Sunday to convince the extremists to hand over civilians in their custody.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the southern island of Mindanao and nearby island provinces under martial rule a few hours after the terrorists attacked the city on May 23, saying the IS-inspired militants wanted to establish an "IS province" on Mindanao.
Since the fighting broke out, Abella said 387 people have been killed, including 290 terrorists, 70 soldiers and policemen, and 27 civilians.
More than 200,000 residents who managed to flee the war zone are now scattered in government evacuation centers in Iligan City and nearly cities and towns in Lanao del Sur.
Abella said the focus of the intense military offensive now is to clear Marawi of the remaining armed terrorists that continue to pose pockets of resistance to the advancing troops.
He said efforts are also underway to rescue residents who are being held hostage or used as shields by the terrorists," he said. The military said over the weekend that it is winning the 36-day conflict, adding that the terrorists are plagued with "financial problems."
The military also said on Monday that rift within the terror organization may have been caused by unverified reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon has fled Marawi City.
"There have been numerous information saying that Hapilon has left Marawi and abandon his group. For now all of this remain raw information requiring validation by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and various security agencies of government," Abella said.
He added, "Hence, we cannot issue any categorical statement on the matter until we get proof."
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
