President-elect Duterte asks for more
time to end Abu Sayyaf terrorism

Addressing hundreds of businessmen at the conclusion of a two-day summit on Tuesday in southern Davao City, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte asked for more time to end terrorism of Abu Sayyaf group, which beheaded two Canadians and a Malaysian caotives.

"Just give me the luxury of time. I cannot do it immediately … There are things which I need which we don't have now," Duterte said in a televised impromptu speech at the consultative meeting by the incoming president's economic managers with the business leaders.

"There will be a reckoning and when it comes I will just say 'surrender unconditionally, release all hostages or we fight'," he said.

Duterte said he needs the peace talks with Moro rebels to run so he could get the assurance that they are not helping the terrorist group.

"I have to have a firm commitment from our [Moro brothers] about the continuity of the talks," said Duterte, the first Philippine president to be from Mindanao.

"As soon as I get that guarantee na talagang (that's really) peaceful... that you are not protecting terrorists, when I have it in my hands, I will be ready to confront [the Abu Sayyaf]," he added.

The President-elect then reiterated his hopes to unify the country under his administration.

"My dream really is one day all Filipinos would just say Filipinos and we do not at all mention [if] he’s left or right, he’s a Moro rebel or a Moro terrorist, and he can live in peace," Duterte said.

"I have six years to do it. I do not know how many concessions God can—but ginawa naman niya akong Presidente, sana tulungan niya ako (But He has made me President, I hope He will help me," he added.

Commenting on the South China Sea dispute, Duterte reiterated he will await the UN tribunal's ruling on the country's complain against Beijing before acting on it.

Duterte also pledged a decisive leadership before hundreds of businessmen, who sought his action against roadblocks to economic growth.

Business leaders submitted 10 recommendations to Duterte, whichinclude revamping the tax system, cutting red tape, speeding up infrastructure projects and implementing a national ID system.

Duterte said he would study the recommendations, adding: "It's a matter of doing."

This southern metropolis, where he was mayor for two decades, was a showcase of how a tough anti-crime platform could spur growth, he said.

"Having experienced in Davao that there can be no progress or development of the community unless there is law and order," he said.

"I saw Davao grow. During peaceful times, ang Davao maganda (the Davao if beautiful)," he added.

He also reiterated his warning against corrupt government officials.

"Let me be very brutal and frank to you all corruption must stop," he said. "Ayaw ko talaga ng (I don't really like) corruption. It makes me sick," he said.

Duterte's speech concludes the two-day summit, which sought to scrutinize his 10-point agenda--including tax reform, cutting red tape, increasing infrastructure spending, and promoting tourism and agriculture.

The Davao summit, the first hosted by a president-elect, saw business bigwigs gathering outside Metro Manila. MGP News