New president should give full support to police, military: Duterte

DAVAO CITY - President Rodrigo Duterte said the next administration could effectively deal with communist insurgents if it throws its full backing to the police and the military.

The tandem of former Senator Bongbong Marcos and presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio won the presidency and vice presidency.

In an interview on Sonshine Media Network International, Duterte was asked by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy if the next administration should pursue another round of peace talks with the communist rebels.

In response, Duterte said: “It depends, Pastor… 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 Duterte said that as long 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. 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,” Duterte said.

He also mentioned the necessity of the Anti-Terrorism Law in fighting communist rebellion, saying the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the law.

The country’s citizens should not the worry about the law, according to Duterte,  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. 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,” he said.

Terrorism was a desperate measure, Duterte said, pointing to the decades-long communist rebellion in the Philippines. “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.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army and its National Democratic Front have been fighting the government for more than five decades now, and the Philippines is the only Asian country combating such insurgency. (Mindanao Examiner)