President Duterte plans to issue a proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front as terrorists.
According to Duterte, the communists would no longer be recognized as legitimate rebels.
“Noon, we recognized them as legitimate rebels but with their continued depredations and killing innocent people and even an infant, four-months-old,” Duterte said at the launching of TienDa Farmers and Fisherfolks Outlets at the Asian Food Market at Abreeza Mall in Davao City Saturday.
A four-month-old baby and a policeman were killed in an ambush carried out by the NPA in Talakad, Bukidnon on Nov. 10.
“I’ll be issuing a proclamation. I will remove them from the category of a legal entity or at least a semi-movement which would merit our attention – placing them pareho sa America as terrorists,” he added.
Duterte said the Reds can no longer be charged with rebellion as it is a bailable offense except for the group’s leader.
“We will file terrorist, murder lahat. Arson with murder. Lahat na. Because I would consider them criminals already,” he said.
“Wala nang istorya. We will consider them terrorists. Ordinary brigands and no more about principles there. You are not fighting for any principle. My God. Killing a four-year-old infant?” Duterte added.
Duterte said that he is no longer inclined to resume the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF, especially after the ambush which he claimed was “intentional.”
“No, I am no anymore inclined to. Ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kanila. ‘Di lang, nagpapahinga lang mga sundalo ko. But we will also go to the offensive,” he said.
“You know, that is an intentional act. It is not an accident. ‘Wag mong sabihin ‘di mo alam ‘yan na may disgrasya ‘yang bata namatay,” Duterte said.
“There is pure malice there. Criminal intent. That is what the law says.”
Duterte said that he no longer believes that communists are fighting for the people and that the government will start a crackdown against them.
“They say that they fight for the people? What a lousy statement actually,” he said. “We will study and maybe we will have a crackdown here somewhere. Nagsasawa na ako dito sa kalokohan nila. So ‘yang lahat ninyong pretending to be speaking for the people, legitimate kunwari,” he added.
Duterte reiterated that he will take in communists who would surrender to the government. “I just say surrender. Surrender ngayon, may bahay ako na maibigay sa inyo. May trabaho akong i-ano,” he said.
“I will take you in government. But you have to work just like any other Filipino working every day to earn his keep,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)