The formation of the “Duterte Death Squad” is forthcoming to enhance the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.
President Duterte announced Tuesday that he would create his own hit squad to target the infamous sparrow unit of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The President intends to call his sparrow unit as the “Duterte Death Squad” that will hunt down NPA assassins who he claimed “were all over” attempting to kill soldiers and policemen.
“One of these days, I’ll be forced also to create my own sparrow. Walang hanapin kung hindi mag — ‘yung mga istambayan na mga tao diyan, suspected NPAs at bibirahin rin sila [They will do nothing but find the suspected NPAs loitering around and neutralize them],” Duterte said before an assembly of troops at Camp Rajah Sikatuna in Bohol.
“Kung makakuha ka lang ng isa, dalawa na maka-identify, ‘Iyan sir, kasama namin,’ okay na ‘yan. I will match their talent also for assassinating people [If you can get one or two who can identify, ’That person, sir, is one of us,’ that will be okay] I will match their talent also for assassinating people,” he added.
The President’s latest decision to form a government hit squad came amid the reported resurgence of the NPA sparrow unit. The assassins’ group was reportedly active in the late 1980s.
Duterte lamented that some policemen and soldiers were killed by NPA assassins while traveling outside their camps.
“I’m trying to make peace with them, ayaw nila. Tapos pinagpapatay ‘yung mga pulis pati sundalo ko [but they don’t want to talk and instead kill my policemen and soldiers],” he said.
“Ngayon ang kulang talaga is ang sparrow ko rin. Iyan lang man — diyan lang man sila makalamang. Sa bukid, fight man ‘yan. So mag-create ako ng sparrow. Duterte Death Squad against the sparrow [Now, I only lack my own sparrow. That’s where they are at advantage. In the field, they fight. So I will create a sparrow unit – Duterte Death Squad against the sparrow],” he said.
“That shouldn’t be a problem because they are our enemy. Why should we hide? Pati ‘yang droga, kasali na man kayo diyan because it is a national security matter. No payments will be accepted there,” he added.
Duterte also authorized the troops to “shoot to kill” if the suspects resist arrest and put their lives in danger. “If they resist violently, ang standard… if you think if your life is in danger, shoot,” he said.
The President, meantime, warned government troops to remain alert against possible attacks from the NPA rebels. He urged them to travel in groups and bring their new guns whenever they go out their camps.
“Do not be reckless. Ang una ‘yan talagang papatayan ka, kalaban ka [They will kill you because you’re the enemy],” he said.
He also advised the soldiers to be aware of their surroundings and watch out for rebel spies. He said the rebels would try to kill them and steal their weapons.
“If you are in a place, in the house or attending parties be careful because you are trailed, they are all over,” he said.
“Do not allow your back na open, ” he added, saying rebels would conduct surveillance of possible targets while other comrades would attack.
In recent months, the President has given away new handguns to soldiers and policemen to enhance their personal security.
Duterte told the troops he has spent a billion pesos for the acquisition of the new guns for the troops. The delivery of all guns will be completed after December, he added.
