Q: Sir, I’m Kaye Imson, sir, from TV5 Manila. Sir, given the situation now with the New People’s Army, sir, maraming nagsu-surrender. At this point, are you still considering to — for the resumption of peace negotiations with them, sir?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Not at this time. Maybe. Alongside with the mass surrenders is also the ferocity of those fighting. At alam mo ganito ‘yan.
Sabi ko nga, we have to reinvent the doctrine diyan sa detachment-detachment sa highway. Kasi sila nahalata ko, malayo sila, marunong na sila mag-sniper. Natutumba ‘yung mga sundalo ko, nakatindig lang diyan sa detachment.
So we are reconfiguring our — the movement of the forces. Sinabi ko sa sundalo na ibahin na ninyo. Except ‘yung mga population centers. Pero ‘yung sa mga highway, ayaw ko na kasi marunong na silang mag-ano — sniper.
Q: [off mic]
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Hindi pa nga… hindi pa matapos ‘yung pagka-surrender. Kung mag-surrender na sila lahat bukas, eh ‘di tapos na. What would be the use of…
Pero kung nakita ko na lumalaban pa rin sila, marami pa sila eh. Pero alam ko hirap na sila kasi matanda na.
Q: Yes, sir.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: At may mga sakit. Lahat ‘yung mga leaders na ‘yan, ‘yung the higher echelons nila, wala na ‘yan. Puro matatanda na. Hindi na gumagana ang utak.
Pero ‘yung — marami pa rin. I am not satisfied by the numbers of surrenderees.
Q: You are not satisfied yet?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: I am not satisfied.
Q: Ano sir ‘yung barometer natin for us to measure na maybe this is the right time for us
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: The barometer is the if they give up or dalawa lang ‘yan. They give up or they’re all dead.
Wala man akong magawa. They’re fighting government. They’re killing the soldiers and policemen. So my order is also to kill them.
Q: Alright.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Ano pa man ang dramahin ko diyan na… Namamatayan na nga ako eh.
Q: Sir, on another note, sir. Kanina na-discuss ninyo and you were even apologetic to the Maranao people because of what happened to Marawi.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Yes.
Q: And I mean… Sir, nakita naman namin ‘yung sincerity ninyoeven before pa. Pero sir, kanina we had a chance to get an interview with Vice Governor Bombit Adiong and he said na at some point medyo nadi-disappoint din sila, sir. Although tuloy-tuloy ‘yung rehabilitation na ginagawa natin para makabangon ulit ‘yung Marawi. Pero parang hindi yata nako-consult properly ‘yung provincial government, sir. What’s your take on that, sir?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Well, there is somebody on the ground here and they should — Actually if they want to do it, just let them demand… mag-issue ng statements.
So this time, nandito man si Ed del Rosario, he is the ground commander dito sa rehabilitation. All that they have to do is to go to him and just talk to him. Or they can go to… seek an appointment sa akin, sa opisina ko. They can always…
Meron akong ano si Mamao, who is the Presidential Adviser sa Moro Affairs. And he is my fraternity brother and a classmate.
He is from here. So he can… they can talk to him and to Alonto. Dalawa ‘yan sila. Si Mamondiong sa TESDA. They’re all Maranaos. They’re Cabinet members. All of them.
Q: So very open?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Ah. Pati ako. Ilan kaming Maranao diyan? Isa lang ata ang — si [unclear] ang Tausug diyan.
Q: Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Anytime ako. Ano ba kayo. Kababayan, kadugo ninyo ako. Okay?
Q: Thank you, Mr. Presidente.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Any… Wala ng ibang question? Wala na?
Q: Pwede pa ba?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Sige.
Q: Pwede pa ba, sir?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: O, ano?
Q: Sir, tuloy-tuloy daw ‘yung… Tuloy-tuloy pa raw ‘yung recruitment, sir, ng Maute-ISIS group…
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Kaya nga eh.
Q: Dito sa Lanao. How are we planning to deal with that situation, sir?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Harshly. During the debate sa kampanya, I was asked the same question sa La Salle. And if you were there, the question, how would I treat the terrorist? Harshly.
Kaya ‘pag ito, maubos na talaga sila. They can regroup anywhere and we can have a fight again. Pero to the last man ‘yan.
Sabi ko, it will not stop until the last terrorist is neutralized. ‘Yun ‘yung sa Marawi. It would be the same rule for any other conflict coming our way.
Q: In other area?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Same policy.
Q: Alright, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.
— END —
Source: PCOO-PND (Presidential News Desk)
