EXCLUSIVE: In a chilling show of power, black-clad Maute Group members lower the PH flag of Butig Town Hall, replacing it with the ISIS flag pic.twitter.com/MD01axqPp6

— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) November 26, 2016

MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to befriend the ISIS-linked Maute terrorist group.

Speaking to DZMM, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said they are willing to sacrifice and give the terrorists a chance.

"Lahat ng anunsyo ng pangulo, sinusuportahan namin kasi ang kanyang direksyon ngayon is to reach out and give them a chance," he said.

• READ: Duterte wants to befriend Maute group

"Ang pakikipaglaban kasi sa kapwa Pilipino ay isang mahirap na bagay para dito sa atin sa Armed Forces," Padilla added.

For Padilla, everyone should be given a chance to reform and change their ways.

"Ang problema, ang paniniwala ng iba, is mga taong itong naging ganito dahil sila ay hindi nagkaroon ng opportunity. So katulad ng isang Kristiyanong nagbibigay ng patawad at oportunidad na magbagong buhay ang isang tao, siguro maaring ganoon ang tinatahak natin sa ngayon," he said.

He, however, clarified that the full force of law should be applied if members of the Maute group refuse to talk with the government.

"Kung sila ay nagnanais na magbago, open tayo sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa kanila pero 'pag sila ay hindi nagbago, nagsisisi sa mga ginawa nila, hindi sila naging accountable sa ginawa nilang krimen, ibang usapan na po 'yun. Kailangan na pong i-apply natin ang full force ng law," Padilla said.

Duterte said the government is not yet keen on waging war against the Maute terrorist group that has occupied parts of Butig, Lanao del Sur Saturday.

Despite Maute group's occupation of the old Butig town hall, the President said he is keen on resolving the conflict through peaceful means.

Government troops in recent days have ramped up their offensive operations against the lawless group, killing at least 19 bandits.