• President Duterte visits wounded soldiers in Cagayan de Oro, promises to bring back peace in PH
• President Duterte installed as new Chief Scout of Boy Scout of the Philippines

Duterte issued his statement as he visited at least 10 soldiers who are confined at the Camp Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital after sustaining injuries in recent encounters with the New People’s Army (NPA).

The President spoke with the wounded soldiers and provided them with financial assistance. He also awarded each soldier with medals.

The injured soldiers are identified as Private First Class Windyl Daayata, Private First Class Peter Ladera, Private Jeffrey Mallorca, Corporal Mhody Ramayrat, Sergeant Ramie Valle, Private Alfie Jauculan, Private First Class Romer Quidit, Private First Class Romeo Sajor, and Corporal Michael Maagad.

Speaking to the media after the visit, the Chief Executive underscored his desire in ending the 50-year-old war between government and the communist group.

“This fight has been going on for the past 50 years. I hate it,” he said adding that he has laid down conditions as the government peace panel and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have agreed to resume stalled negotiations in The Netherlands from April 2-6.

“As a matter of fact, kapag may namatay diyan na NPA, sundalo, o CAFGU, dumudugo ang puso ko kasi puro tayo Pilipino (As a matter of fact, when someone from the NPA, army, or CAFGU dies, my heart bleeds because we are all Filipinos),”  he added.

Duterte said there must be a signed document “establishing the parameters of the peace talks” and there should be a ceasefire agreement to be witnessed by the Royal Norwegian Government, which acts as third party facilitator in the peace talks.

He added that the Reds should stop extortion and collection of revolutionary tax and they should desist from claiming any piece of territory or land in the country. He also urged them to release all their prisoners including police, military and civilians.

The President likewise emphasized that he gets his inspiration on what he wants to do for the nation by reiterating his goal to have an illegal-drug free country, saying that he would have “doomed”  the country and the next generation if he could not stop the problem on illegal drugs.

“In a nutshell, the long provision of the Constitution says only one thing that at the end of the day, I am solely responsible of keeping the Filipino nation protected and secure. I have to preserve the next generation,” Duterte explained. ###PND

President Rodrigo Duterte was installed as the new Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) during the Baden Powell Day of the World Scout Organization in Malacañan Palace on Monday, April 3.

In his message, the President said he was grateful and honored to have been formally installed as the Chief Scout of the BSP signifying his readiness to face challenges and responsibilities that the investiture would bring.

“We, in government, see the formation of the Filipino youth as a vital [tool] in nation-building. What becomes of today’s youth will determine what becomes of our country in the future,” he said.
He commended the BSP for teaching young boys to become proactive and law-abiding citizens.

“The organization has taught them self-reliance, discipline and scouting movement. It is also inculcated among them the values of [civic] consciousness and courage and love for country,” he added.

He likewise underscored the role of the BSP in the country’s fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality that continue to erode the foundations of the nation.

He said the BSP helps in the youth’s character formation as he expressed confidence that the organization and all its scouts would remain as partners of government for change.

“I call upon the members of this august organization to help uphold the Scout Oath and Law and let us continue to pursue and aspire for what is right, good and just,” he said.

The President also expressed his frustration over a law that let juveniles off the hook even if they committed grave offenses. He said the law has given rise to many young people growing with criminal minds.

But he told the young scouts that he will do everything in his power to protect them from the scourge of illegal drugs for them, grow healthy and become the country’s leaders in the future.

At the same time, he said he wants ROTC be reintroduced to instill in today’s youth a sense of discipline and accountability. ###PND