Academic: Duterte ‘The Punisher’ will likely to push peace talks in southern Philippines

KOTA KINABALU: Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is expected to continue the peace process in the country's troubled south bogged down with unrest by extremists and separatist groups, according to an academic.  

Dr Zaini Othman, who is Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) strategic and security research centre director, said that Duterte, popularly known as “The Punisher'' for his stand against criminals, was likely to bring more groups including the Abu Sayyaf into the peace process.