Monday, January 12, 2009 Duterte urges rebels to join politics
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is urging the New People's Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to join the political mainstream if they want to change government.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte said he wants the communist groups to win positions in government so they could push for change.
However, he said this would only be realized if the communist group forms a political group.
Duterte said he is even willing to join the rebels’ political party.
"I want the left to win in a legal process. Magtukod ta ug party. Wala man pud koy salig anang mga political party karon (Let’s put up a party. I don’t have trust in those existing right now)," Duterte said.
The mayor said he had been in contact with local officials of the National Democratic Front (NDF), one known as Badiang and the other a former priest, for the release of the group’s two prisoners of war.
He assured the public though that his loyalty remains with the government despite his association with some known leaders of the communist group like Kumander Parago. (BOT)
