Mayor urges rebels to surrender

Friday, December 2, 2011

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte appealed to New People's Army (NPA) rebels operating in the city's hinterland villages to lay down their arms and discuss sustainable development instead.

Duterte issued the statement after three soldiers belonging to the Army's 69th Infantry Battalion (69th IB) were killed in a land mine explosion, planted by communist rebels in Sitio Guinobatan, Barangay Paquibato, on Wednesday.

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"I am willing to sit down and talk with those who are interested to put down their arms," Duterte told Sun.Star Davao in a text message.

The mayor condemned the land mine explosion that happened after an encounter between government troops and rebels, killing three soldiers and three rebels.

Duterte said: "On behalf of the City Government, I extend our condolences to the families of those who passed away and extend my hand in peace to all the rebels in Paquibato."

Duterte specifically challenged the rebels, under the leadership of Commanders Oda and Parago, to put down their arms and talk about peace and development instead of war.

"Soldiers do their job. And they know the risks of their duty, including the reality that they might die. I salute the fallen and sympathize with their families. I will be betraying my oath, if I prevent a government instrumentality to do their work, in this case, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," she said.

An official statement of the AFP said the land mines were planted by the NPA intended for the government troops who were set to do community outreach program in the same village.

"We have three heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice, their worthy services will not be in vain for we will be more determined to pursue our goal to attain genuine peace and development in the area," said Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza of Army's 10th Infantry Division.