The public should brace for a “little trouble” in the coming months as the government moves to immediately put an end to the communist insurgency, President Duterte declared Tuesday.
The President said he has asked the military to finish the war with the communist rebels, saying the government cannot afford to pass the conflict to the next generation.
“I do not think that we can afford to wage a war another 53 years so I am telling the military, ‘Can we end it now?’ We cannot afford to pass it on to the next generation. Baka hindi na nila makaya,” Duterte said during the 31st anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in Quezon City.
“I’m serving notice to everybody that in the coming months, it will be not really bloody, but there will be at least, a little trouble for our country,” he added.
The President also mentioned about “very radical change” in government in a bid to effectively address security challenges. He said the government was “battling so many fronts,” including the communist insurgency, illegal drugs, and the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“In the coming days, there will be a very, very radical change in the behavior of government. You know, I am not challenging. You might win or you may lose, but that is something to be seen but I intend to call the attention of the military guys here,” he said.
Duterte took a swipe at the communist insurgents, saying land reform program would still be implemented even without their rebellion.
“Even if you did not exist, land reform would still be the program of any government dito sa Pilipinas. Totoo ‘yan,” he said.
“Because even without the element of violence and armed struggle, dadating talaga ang panahon that you have to equitably distribute the land to the people,” he added.
The government has terminated the peace talks with the communist rebel group in protest of the atrocities committed against troops and civilian communities. The President instead repeatedly urged the rebels to surrender to the government, promising to give them food, shelter and livelihood assistance. (Genalyn Kabiling)
