After the peace talks bogged down over rebel atrocities, President Duterte recently said he was willing to “forget” the offenses committed by communist rebels who will surrender to the government.
The President said the government would even provide assistance, including shelter aid, to the rebel returnees to help them reintegrate into society.
“Kayong mga NPA, I’m ready to accept you. I’m willing to forget what you – how many killed,” he said during his visit to Bataan.
Duterte extended the offer to the rebels even as he lamented that many soldiers, policemen, and barangay captains were killed in recent years.
“Pinakamarami kasing na namamatayan soldiers and barangay captains. We lose about three, four a day. Police, ako meron ako sigurong mga dalawa, tatlo,” he added.
In his visit to trip to Capiz last Thursday, Duterte renewed his appeal to the communists to turn themselves in after decades of fighting with the government.
“Kayong mga NPA, pag-isipan ninyong mabuti. You cannot keep on destroying the country,” he said.
Duterte took a swipe at the failed communist rebellion, saying the insurgents were unable to control a single town even during the last five decades of violence.
He added that rebels ended up dying for a lost cause without seeing their children left at home.
“Kayong mga NPA, alam man ninyo ‘yan. Nililibing ka lang diyan sa gubat. At ang mga pamilyang iniwan ninyo lalaki ng walang tatay, nanay. Ganyan ba ang buhay? Is that the – ganun ba talaga ang tingin ninyo sa buhay? Ganun kadali?” he said.
The President, who previously claimed the communist rebellion was in the death throes, had earlier directed the military to launch full scale offensives against the rebels.
He has refused to resume the peace talks with communist Jose Maria Sison following his alleged arrogance and insincerity. The torture and killing of four policemen by the rebels in Negros also drove the President angry and forced him to raise a large bounty against the killers. (Genalyn Kabiling)