The next administration could effectively deal with communist insurgents if it throws its full backing to the police and the military, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has said.
In an interview on Sonshine Media Network International aired on Friday, President Duterte was asked by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy if the next administration should pursue another round of peace talks with the communist rebels.
In response, the President said: “It depends, Pastor. If the President, whoever he or she may be, basta suportahan lang niya ang military at bigyan niya lang ‘yung kailangan just like what I did…”
Police and military personnel are wary of possible violation of human rights, but President Duterte said that as along as they are doing their duties, they should enjoy the full support of the chief executive.
“Doing your duty o maski na ‘yung mga kriminal, magfa-file ng kaso ang mga pamilya, tapos haya — hindi mo dipensahan, hayaan mo sila, ah mahirap ‘yan,” he pointed out.
“Pero kung sabihin mo, iyan, go out and hunt them down, that is your duty as a law enforcement officer or a military, fighting the rebels. Huwag kayong matakot basta ‘yung kaso ninyo is in connection with the performance of an official duty, I will — kakapotehan kita.”
The President also mentioned the necessity of the Anti-Terrorism Law in fighting communist rebellion. The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the law.
The country’s citizens should not the worry about the law, he said, stressing the people should just do what is right.
“Huwag ka nang lumayo doon sa your obligations as a citizen, you have the responsibility, we have all responsibilities na Pilipino tayo. Sabi ko, just do what is right,” he said.
“Now, ngayon sila they are rebels, insurgents really na wala na — it’s bereft of any ideology, wala na talaga ‘yan, patay na ‘yang kanilang ideology and yet they continue to wage war.”
Terrorism was a desperate measure, President Duterte said, pointing to the decades-long communist rebellion in the Philippines.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has been fighting the government for more than 53 years, and the Philippines is the only Asian country combating such insurgency.
“Kaya it would be easier now really to just — ‘yung terrorism, it’s an — actually a vehicle for fighting the rebels who are out to destroy the government,” he said. PND
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