PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 16, renewed his call to the members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) to abandon the armed struggle and return to the fold of law.
The President reiterated his plea to communist insurgents, as he admitted that communism will turn into a "bigger headache" if it continues after his term in 2022.
"This war has been going on for 53 years. Struggle is not the proper term. What are you struggling against and for whom? The Filipino? Fifty-three years. Tell the idiots there in the mountains to come down," Duterte said in Bisaya during the awarding of housing units to former NPA rebels in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
"In that 53 years, you could say that the government has spent billions and billions and billions of money. What a waste of money. How many administrations have worked hard? But the only way to do it is really to work for it, all of us. If the problems in the mountains will be resolved, then we will have peace," he added.
The President made the call as he led the granting of housing units to former members of the NPA and the demilitarization of turned-in firearms under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
Duterte acknowleged that insurgency stems from the "inability" of government services to "effectively and efficiently" reach the people.
He assured former communists that the government would ensure that their lives would "greatly improve" as they begin a new chapter.
He was optimistic that the surrender of former communist rebels was a significant step towards ending unlawful violence.
He likewise hoped that the remaining NPA rebels would realize that the only way to achieve progress in the country is to end conflict.
"Well, just imagine you kill a person because they don't agree with your ways. Would you be happy if I were the one who will get mad? And if you don't agree with my ways, I will order the military and police, 'Kill them,'" Duterte said.
"Is that the proper way to have progress? We could have progressed a long time ago if there was no conflict," he added.
The President also cautioned the rebels that they would find it "very difficult" to address their concerns when he leaves his office in 2022.
He said it would be better if they surrender, as he is willing to prioritize them to give them a "decent and comfortable" life.
"You said the government neglected you. But look at this now. I prioritized you," he said. "If this problem hasn't yet been resolved by the time I finish my term, it will evolve to become an ever bigger headache. And it will grow and foster."
In the meantime, Duterte told the national task force tasked to end local communism to "work doubly hard" in addressing the problems of insurgency so Filipinos can enjoy "safer and more secure communities.” (SunStar Philippines)