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Monday, September 08, 2003
Rody urges traders to talk with NPA
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte invited businessmen in Davao City Sunday to a dialogue with the New People's Army (NPA).
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa", Duterte asked the city's business community to have a talk with the rebels as he invited traders to go with him in the hinterlands to have a dialogue with the rebels.
"I think even the NPA rebels are ready to talk with the businessmen," he said.
The city mayor made the invitation after several businessmen expressed alarm over the demand made by the NPA's Merardo Arce Command for them to pay revolutionary taxes or face severe sanctions.
The business sector's worry was heightened after a Holiday taxi was burned by alleged NPA rebels in Buhangin last week.
But Duterte doubted the alleged NPA involvement in the taxi burning.
"I don't believe that's the handiwork of the NPA because I should know," he said.
"They are sensible and most of all they are Filipinos, they feel for the Filipinos," Duterte said.
He assured the business sector though that at the soonest possible time he would arrange a dialogue with the NPAs. He also clarified that making contacts with the rebels does not mean he is pro-NPA.
He assured the Dabawenyos that "at the end of the day I will always side with the government and the military." BOT
(September 8, 2003 issue)
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