PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday reiterated his call to communist rebels to surrender to authorities as he also vowed to provide them housing and job opportunities.
Speaking during the 17th founding anniversary of Digos City, Duterte brought up his offer to the New People's Army (NPA) rebel to fight with the government in combatting lawless armed groups.
"I have a proposal to the NPA, surrender. I will make you soldiers of this Republic, just Cafgu (Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit) for the moment," he said.
The commander-in-chief said that he will give them firearms that is intended to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in addressing security threats that the country is facing.
"I will give you a gun to protect the Republic of the Philippines," he said.
Rebels who are interested to surrender may visit their local executives or go to the military to submit themselves, he said.
Duterte noted that she will ask Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who has a housing project in Tugbok district in Davao City, to give ex-rebels a housing unit in exchange of their surrender.
"Inday has 1,000 units there. We will ask her to share," he said.
But he was quick to add that he will not mix the soldiers and the NPA in the housing because of the possibility that they might killeach other. Thus, he said that he will place the military personnel in Matina and the rebels in Tugbok.
The President explained why he refused to accept the help extended by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison to expedite the resolution of the conflict in Marawi City because of fear that his soldiers might get shot from behind.
Aside from that, the soldiers said that they could contain the terrorists in Marawi City without the help of the NPA.
"When the Marawi crisis broke out, Sison offered to help. He got offended because I turned him down," he said.
Responding to the queries of most Filipinos why Marawi City siege has not ended yet and is now in its fourth month, Duterte admitted that he directed his troops to take it slow to minimize casualties form civilians and military.
He also objected to bomb the mosques or building in Marawi for fear that there are 300 civilian hostages captured by Maute members and it might also trigger anger from Muslims nationwide if it will be bombed.
"Mosque is a holy place for the Islam believer. That is the most sacred. You will propagate hatred," Duterte said.