President Rodrigo Duterte salutes one of the soldiers who were wounded in recent military operations with the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan, as he visited Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City on Saturday. Photo by Robinson Ninal

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The country should take care of its soldiers, because those left behind can have no peace after experiencing pain and suffering, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, in a visit to wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City.

At least 18 soldiers are confined at the Western Mindanao Command’s (Wesmincom) Camp Navarro General Hospital for treatment of injuries they sustained in encounters with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

Duterte spoke with the soldiers and handed a cash gift from the government.

The families of three soldiers killed in a recent firefight with the Abu Sayyaf received money and cellphones.

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks with the wives of three soldiers who were killed in a recent encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group. Photo by Noning Antonio, ABS-CBN News

"We should take care of all soldiers. They are giving up their lives for this republic . . . and there's no peace after pain and suffering," he said.

"Magbigay ng kaunting pera at mga bagong cellphone, mas maganda pa (It's better to give them some money and new cellphones)."

Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said operations against the Abu Sayyaf will not let up.

Clashes between the military and the terrorist group continue in Sulu, with three soldiers and 10 ASG members reportedly killed in an encounter last week.

They recently released two Indonesian captives, which the group abducted in waters off eastern Malaysia.