By Jil Danielle M. Caro
THE communist New People’s Army is next on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s list as soon as the armed forces is done with the Maute group which continues to occupy parts of Marawi City.
“The NPA is next,” Mr. Duterte said in his speech during his visit to Marawi City on Thursday. “Because they have many debts to us. I don’t want to talk to them anymore. They have already killed many of my soldiers. They have already killed many of my policemen.”
He added: “And the Communist Party of the Philippines, it’s published yesterday that the NDF branded me as a bully. Correct, you are right, 100 percent. I bully people who try to topple government and all the enemies of the state. That is my job to bully you and to kill you because there is a war going on between us and you. And you are killing my soldiers and policemen, so I bully you.
Last Wednesday, the government announced its plan to cancel the scheduled back-channel talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in August after NPA rebels launched attacks on armed and security forces.
However, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus G. Dureza told reporters via text message on Friday not to interpret Mr. Duterte’s pronouncement on cancellation of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“I have not heard him say categorically “talks over or terminated”, did he?” Mr. Dureza said.
“What is clear now is that the scheduled backchannel (meeting) to work on possible resumption of suspended 5th round was cancelled. If there will [be] a new officially announced position, then let’s all wait for a categorical statement coming from the President no less.”
For his part, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, scored the CPP-NPA and expressed support for the suspension of the peace talks.
“As our security forces continue to fight terrorists in Mindanao and as the government gets ready to start the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City, the treacherous communist terrorists NPA has once again shown their utter lack of empathy towards our suffering countrymen,” he said.
“I trust the integrity and honesty of our Government Peace Panel. I know they are doing what they think is for our country, in accordance to the law and to the advocacy of our President. I, however, question the sincerity, integrity, and motives of the other side,” he added.
In a press statement on Thursday, the NDFP said that no ceasefire was expected in the areas where the clashes took place.
“If the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) is so determined to terminate the negotiations, it can avail of the pertinent provision in the JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees) to do so, and not engage in subterfuge and threats in an attempt to force the NDFP to capitulate to its demands,” NDFP Chief Negotiator Fidel V. Agcaoili said.
EDUCATION FUND FOR KIDS OF SOLDIERS, POLICE
During his speech in Marawi, Mr. Duterte asked soldiers to fight for the country.
“My message to you is — fight for your country. I will fight for your right. Everything you will need, I will give them brand new. Now, I will no longer buy second hand,” Mr. Duterte said.
“I have authorized the Armed Forces to use all my presidential planes. Use them for I no longer use them. They’re yours,” he said.
Mr. Duterte also promised to double the salary of the armed forces and the policemen by next year.
He also reaffirmed his previous pronouncement that he will secure the education of the armed and security forces’ children.
“I promised the armed forces and the police that by the time I leave office, I would have saved 50 billion [pesos] trust fund for your children, it is not required that you’re dead. Dead or now, this is for your children’s education. You will not waste that, it is solely for education. Whether you retire alive or get off in the service, the 50 billion is yours. This will do at this time, education is now expensive,” he said.
