MANILA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Monday the military to crush the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements.
Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address, said the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to search and engage these rogue and lawless groups will be enhanced.
"Since our country continues to be confronted with internal security threats aggravated by the existence and activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group, the full force of the AFP will be applied to crush these criminals who operate under the guise of religious fervor," he said.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits have engaged in kidnappings and beheadings of some of their hostages who failed to pay ransom they have demanded.
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