By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte has said that the executive order declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front as terrorists is now being prepared.
“I am preparing now…they are preparing the executive order declaring them to be terrorists and they will be afforded the treatment of being criminals,” Duterte said in a speech during the send-off ceremony for five Vietnamese fishermen caught poaching in the country’s waters in Sual, Pangasinan.
“There will be no filing of cases under the public security like rebellion, because rebellion is considered sometimes a noble undertaking, it’s only because you want your country to do better,” he added.
He, however, clarified that the his order to re-arrest communists he released to participate in the peace talks does not apply to those released due to old age.
“But iyon namang binitawan ko, out also of humane reasons. For one, those who were above 70 like me, parang ako na ang napapagod para sa kanila, although leaders, sabi ko, ‘Sige, you can go,'” Duterte said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the President is well within bounds in his intention to declare the Reds as terrorists.
“Because anyone who bears arms is (fusing) rebellion. The crime of rebellion is a crime of taking up arms against the government. So natural,” Roque said.
“When you are bearing arms against the government, you are engaged in crime you are supposed to implement the law and yes, the President has that power to implement the law. It is a domestic, not an armed conflict, and an arms-bearing rebel is a proper military target,” he added.
Duterte has officially terminated the formal peace talks with the communist rebels by signing Proclamation No. 360 due to their insincerity to the negotiations by launching attacks on government troops and destroying properties of civilians.
“In spite of the best efforts exerted by the Administration, the NDF-CPP-NPA failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people,” Duterte said in the proclamation.
Duterte said that the communist rebels are pushing him to the edge despite his efforts to have peace in the country.
“But I do not want to start a real violent war. But if the NPAs, just like the terrorist would do it, then we will give them the favor,” the President said.
