President Duterte has asked the communist rebels in Mindanao, if it is possible, to stop engaging the government forces until the crisis in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, is over.

In his speech during the 50th founding anniversary of Davao del Norte in Tagum City Saturday afternoon, Duterte said he wants to talk to the communists as he understands what they are fighting for.

“I can understand you, that is why I have not declared any overt action against you. I want to talk to you because I know na ang inyo (that yours) was just a rising nationalism,” Duterte said.

The President’s call for the rebels to stop attacking soldiers and police officers comes amid the heavy fighting in Marawi City, more than one month after Duterte declared martial law in the entire island of Mindanao.

“I have to do it because it is my constitutional duty to preserve and defend the Filipino people. Wala akong magawa dyan. Lalo na sa mga sundalo, if there is one person in this republic who is really traveling with a heavy heart, it’s me. Because I ordered the AFP and police to go there and fight and perhaps to die,” President Duterte.

He also noted the earlier declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front’s (CPP-NPA-NDF) for the CPP to intensify its operations against the government forces which they retracted later on.

“Can you just stop fighting for a while? Kasi ang sabi ng mga leader niyo sa Europe (Because your leaders in Europe said) there will be a ceasefire,” he said.

“Una, sabi ng leader niyo (First your leaders said) you are to engage government forces tapos (but then) they realized now, at this very late day, na wala kayong makukuha dyan sa terorista (that you’ll gain nothing from the terrorists),” he added.

In a statement, the CPP had earlier criticized the Duterte administration for a lack of a direct order to cease offensives.

“More than a week after (Labor Secretary Silvestre) Bello’s statement, the people have not seen nor heard of a Duterte order ‘not to undertake offensives’ against the NPA,” the CPP said in a statement dated June 30.

“On the contrary, his defense secretary and military commanders have repeatedly declared that the AFP will conduct ‘pursuit’ operations against the NPA. Duterte has neither rescinded his government’s ‘all-out war’ policy and ‘flatten the hills’ command against the NPA. The AFP’s war of suppression in Mindanao has worsened since the imposition of martial law more than a month ago,” the CPP said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang also warned the public against the NPA’s supposed planned attacks on people-oriented programs and infrastructure projects as these are extortion-related.

“We wish to forewarn the public of reported planned attacks of the NPA on people-oriented programs and infrastructure projects and request the citizenry of Mindanao and everyone else in the country to be on the alert and on the lookout,” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said over Radyo Pilipinas.

“We also appeal to everyone to share information with authorities on suspicious persons and activities in their communities. Sabi nga po nila (Like what they say), if we can work together, we can prevent these extortion-related activities,” he added.

Talk to communists

Duterte, in his speech in Tagum City, also said that he would be willing to talk to the communists but warned them against giving him a double-face.

He also said he will not go soft on them if they fire at the government forces who are patrolling around Mindanao.

“We used to talk, we were friends, but that was during the time when I was mayor. I was not then burdened with the responsibility of running this country,” Duterte said.

“Eh, ngayon iba na ang sitwasyon. Kaya ‘pag kinalaban mo ‘yung pulis ko, binaril mo ‘yung sundalo, magkalaban talaga tayo (But the situation is different now. So if you stand up against my police, fire at my soldiers, then we will really fight),” he warned.

The President also reiterated his earlier statement that he will not buy the communists’ excuse that they fired upon government troops because they have supposedly entered their territory.

“Would you kindly stop fighting? Ang problema sa inyong mga komunista (The problem with you communists), you don’t want my soldiers [there],” he said.

“Ako nag-utos sa kanila (I sent them there) because they have to patrol and control every inch of the territory. Don’t give me that sh*t that my soldiers entered your territory – that’s bullsh*t. I’m the President and I would never allow that proposition,” he added.

“Though we are not there all the time, we cannot guard every inch of this republic, but I must insist that I own the republic in behalf of the Filipino people – every inch of the way,” he continued.

Don’t engage with terrorists

Duterte also warned the communists against joining the terrorists or else they will not have a place in the country.

“There will never be a political, social, or economic space for you communists if it is terrorism that prevails the day. Wala kayong makuha diyan na nationalism (You will not gain nationalism there),” Duterte said.

“The terrorists, walang ideology ‘yan (there’s not ideology there). It is far distant from Islam which they have corrupted to kill people in the name of God,” he added.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Yas D. Ocampo

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]