PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed openness to tap the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the communist New People's Army (NPA) in fighting the terrorists in Mindanao.
"Alam mo, I am announcing to all na lahat ng sundalo ng MI(LF), MN(LF), kung matagal pa ito (gulo) at gusto ninyong sumali, makipagsapalaran sa Republika, I am offering them, kunin ko kayong sundalo, same pay, same privileges, and I will build houses for you in some areas," Duterte said in a speech in Jolo, Sulu where he visited a military camp on Saturday.
Duterte said MNLF leader Nur Misuari himself offered that the government could tap MNLF volunteers in helping the government troopers in pursuing the members of the Maute Group, which has been sowing chaos in Marawi City.
Duterte has declared martial law in Mindanao due to the Marawi crisis.
"Kayong mga NPA, wala. Niloloko lang kayo niyan. Iyong taxation, hindi ninyo alam, malalaki ang ibinigay, kayo diyan gutom. Sige kayo pangilkil, manghingi, extortion. I am going to create a new division for you, para sa inyo. Wala ng qualification, tutal marunong naman kayo mag-baril," he said.
"Practice na lang kayo ng kalabit. I am willing to take you soldiers of the Republic, lahat, MI, MN, pati NPA. Para ang sundalo ko halu-halo," Duterte added.
He said it would be better for the NPA rebels to go down from the mountains.
"Bigyan ko kayo ng suweldo kagaya ng sundalo, gawan ko kayo ng bahay. Kalimutan natin lahat. Basta huwag lang kayong mag-landmine-landmine," he said.
The government has decided not to participate in the fifth round of peace talks with the National Democratic Front, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, in the Netherlands following its leadership's order for the combatants to intensify their attacks against the government security forces.
The CPP-NPA-NDF has been condemning the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao. (SDR/SunStar Philippines)