DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, December 18, enjoined local chief executives from Region XI to fight rebellion, drugs, and corruption together with his administration in a bid to achieve lasting peace in the country.
In his speech at the Barangay Summit on Good Governance of Region XI at the Rizal Memorial Colleges, the Chief Executive directed local chief executives to “finish” his administration’s war against drugs and fight against the communist rebellion before his term ends.
“Pero yung — yung komunista gusto kong tapusin pati yang droga. I want it done during my term. Gusto ko kung hindi ko man maubos… you’ll be the ones to finish it. Inyo na ‘yan,” said Duterte.
He then urged the barangay captains to do away with corruption as they strive to serve their respective barangays.
“Ang problema sa kanila nag-corruption. Eh, hindi talaga ako pwede diyan. Hindi talaga ako — sorry. Pagka-corruption ‘wag mo akong lapitan,” he said.
Noting the dangers that come with their position as local chieftains, President Duterte vowed his full support and protection as they fulfill their mandate to the people.
“Do you know who has the most number of deaths next to soldiers and government men? One of the the greatest loss of lives… ang mga barangay captains, and you are well aware of that. They will really kill you,” said President Duterte .
“The idea is, that you are not too far away from help. Ibig sabihin kung kailangan mo talaga ng tulong kasi gina-take, gina-harass kayo, you are not far from the assistance that the government is willing to give you,”he empasized.
“Because you are a person of authority according to the law, I will support you,” he stressed.
1039 local chief executives attended the Barangay Summit on Good Governance which is an avenue to promote awareness about the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption among others, considering the role of the barangay as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies
President Duterte renews call for peace with NPA
Meanwhile, President Duterte also renewed his call for peace with the New People’s Army (NPA), citing that he has ordered new houses to be built for former rebels who surrendered to the government to move in to.
“There are houses… I had houses made. Listen closely to me… 54,000. The rebel returnees can choose which one they want,” he said.
“But I want those from Oriental to be moved here to the south. I’ll move the ones from the south to Norte. And then those from Norte will be pushed back there,” he added.
President Duterte, however, warned the communist rebels against further perpetrating violence and attacks against uniformed personnel and civilians alike, saying that, “If the time comes that I get fed up with this, I will no longer accept those who will surrender — the surrenderees.”
The President also said that he would fast-track land reform.
“I will give you land. I will fast-track the land reform. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will distribute almost 2,000 land titles there. My land reform [program] is being fast-tracked,” he said.###PND
