PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte lambasted anew the New People's Army (NPA), likening the organization to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) following the beheading of a government militiaman who was a former rebel.
The President threw a tirade against the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) who was behind the brutal killing of a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member identified as Mar Acebedo Bocales last January 29 in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, by his former comrades.
"Unsa man ilang deperensya sa Isis ug kidnapper? Mao na ilang hustisya ipakita [What makes them different from Isis and kidnappers? Is that their kind of justice]?" President Duterte said during the culmination activity of Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan: An Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Leaders' Summit at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on February 1.
The President said that the communists wanted to overthrow the Philippine government and run it by themselves. In order to realize their goal, they used armed struggle.
"That is the problem, it's the violence, because they want to join or takeover the government through the use of arms," he said.
Thus, he encouraged the IP leaders present during the summit to help the government in raising awareness to their fellow tribe's men who are usually exploited by the terrorist group.
After 50 years of struggle the communists have not won over the government and the Lumad should not allow another 50 years to follow filled with atrocities.
Meanwhile, the President urged those who want to surrender to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines if they are qualified, as he vowed to help them financially and to gain livelihood as well as housing opportunities.