MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday denied initiating talks with the Maute group to end the Marawi crisis as he stressed that he would never negotiate with terrorists. Sharief told the news agency that he was approached by a senior aide of Duterte to use his connections with the Mautes to begin backchannel talks. According to the report, the process was halted after Duterte declared last May 31 that he would not talk to terrorists. Last month, Duterte revealed that he was advised to talk to the Mautes but he refused. Sabi ko (I said) ‘No, I will not,’” the President told Army troops in Tacurong City last June 7.

Source: Philippine Star July 06, 2017 10:52 UTC