Communist rebels should “not mess up” the May midterm elections if they want to have a shot at the peace talks with the government, President Duterte declared recently.
The President has asked the communist rebels to respect the democratic process even if they don’t favor some candidates in the polls.
“Kayong mga komunistang nakikinig, if you really find it in your heart to be a participant of an exercise of the people to choose their candidate, kindly do not mess up with it,” Duterte said during his visit to Albay. “If you still want me or maybe hoping to talk to me with the remaining three years, I’d like you to honor this tradition of our people,” he added.
Duterte asserted that rebels have no business interfering in the upcoming elections as he renewed his call to stop extorting money from people in exchange for “permits.”
“Hindi na bale sabihin nila na parang aso ang ugali niyan. That is none of your business because if it is the will of the people, kanya na…That’s democracy. Wala tayong magawa,” he said.
The President has offered to resume the peace talks with the local communist group if its members would stop their extortion activities. He said he would not order the arrest of the rebel negotiators and even shoulder their hotel expenses during the duration of the peace negotiations.
“Ang mga NPA, kayo nakikinig kayo ngayon, kung gusto talaga ninyong tumulong, stop the extortion…You will have to stop extorting money and ‘yung taxation ninyo,” he said.
“I will guarantee na ako na mismo ang gagastos sa talks. You can come courtesy of the money of the people of the Philippines. Wala akong pera. You can come and be billeted in simple hotels because luxury is not for us and you can come in peace. Hindi kayo huhulihin,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)