MANILA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made an earnest appeal to Muslim rebels on Friday not to provide sanctuary for terrorists who wish to establish a caliphate in the Philippines.
He made the appeal to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels during his visit to wounded soldiers at Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao province.
He warned that he would be forced to order the military to conduct operations in MNLF- and MILF-controlled camps if it is proven that these camps are being used to protect Islamic State terrorists.
"I am earnestly asking the MNLF and MILF not to provide sanctuary to terrorists, or we will be forced to go after them within your territory. And that would mean trouble for all of us. I don't want that to happen," he said.
He also warned that he might be forced to scrap his administration's plan to talk peace with both Muslim rebel groups.
Duterte's appeal came a day after his defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, said the Philippines has received intelligence that the Middle East-based extremists are seeking closer links with the violent Abu Sayyaf militants.
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