By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte yesterday said that he rejected the Maute clan matriarch's proposal for a possible ceasefire and peace talks with the government amid the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
This was revealed after it was reported that Cayamora Maute, the clan patriarch, was arrested at a checkpoint in Toril, Davao City, around 10 am on Tuesday, along with four other individuals believed to be linked to the local Maute.
President Rodrigo Duterte. (PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ Manila Bulletin)
Duterte, in his speech, reiterated that he will not talk with the terrorists about peace anymore as the government has already many casualties from its troops as a result of the continuing siege in Marawi City.
"Iyong casualties natin medyo mabigat. Kaya sabi nila na mag-usap iyong nanay ni Maute, sabi ko 'No, I will not,'" Duterte said without going into specific details.
"I will not talk anymore kasi marami na ang sundalo ko (na) namatay. Marami nang pulis ko (na namatay). , huwag mo akong bolahin diyan usap-usap na ‘yan. Not anymore," he added.
Based on the June 6, 2017 report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 39 members of the government troops have fallen due to the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City.
Ominta (Farhana) Romato, the first wife of Cayamora and the mother of Omar and Abdullah Maute, was described by the authorities as the brains behind the organization, networking, and operation of the Maute group alongside the arrested Maute patriarch. However, Romato remains at large.
Duterte said he would only talk to the new generation of Maranaos and not the older ones.
"Pagkatapos diyan mag-usap tayo. Right after. 'Pag naubos silang lahat diyan then I will talk to the new generation," he said.
"Sabi ko, 'Maranao man tayo, sige mag-usap tayong mabuti,'" he added.
He also said that some of the older Maranaos are responsible for bringing in the Islamic State's (ISIS) foreign fighters to the country who are actually the ones destroying Marawi City.