ICC Note:

On May 23rd, ISIS militants called the Maute group invaded the largely populated Christian city in the Philippines called Marawi. In the early days of fighting, President Rodrigo Duterte talked with the Maute brothers, Omarkhayam, and Abdullah. However, on May 31st, Duterte made a statement in a press conference asserting that he will not negotiate with terrorists, “either they surrender, or we got to war.” In this conflict, over 400 people have been killed: 351 terrorists, 85 members of the security forces, and 39 civilians. Furthermore, over 300,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes.

07/06/2017 The Philippines (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday he did not initiate dialogue with Islamist militants occupying a southern town because he would never talk to criminals and terrorists.

Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that Duterte was preparing to make a deal with the Islamic State-inspired militants in the days after they occupied the town of Marawi, but he aborted the plan without explanation.

“No, I did not,” Duterte said when asked during a media briefing if he had indeed, as Reuters reported, pushed for talks with the Maute group of militants battling government troops for control of Marawi.

“I have never talked to terrorists and I will never talk to criminals and terrorists, but I will talk to revolutionaries who are imbued with principle,” Duterte said.

The battle for control of Marawi has been the biggest crisis of Duterte’s year-old presidency.

His government has consistently ruled out negotiating with “terrorists” so any behind-the-scenes efforts by either side to get talks going are likely to be scrutinized.

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