President Duterte has threatened to declare martial law if lawlessness committed by the communist rebels will continue.
In his public address Friday, the President said he would try to finish off the communist rebels during his term as he deplored the recent spate of rebel attacks against government troops during the coronavirus emergency situation.
Duterte blew his top over reports that rebels killed some troops helping in the relief operations as well as took away food and other items intended for communities affected by the coronavirus-related lockdown measures.
“Ngayon pag patuloy kayo ng lawlessness ninyo patay dito, patay doon and it is happening all over the Philippines. Maybe I will declare martial law because kayong mga NPA ang numero uno. Kinukuha ninyo ang tulong sa tao pati ‘yung supply pagkain nila,” he said during a taped remarks aired on state television Friday morning
“Kaya I am now warning everybody and putting notice sa Armed Forces at sa pulis, I might declare martial law and there will be no turning back,” he added.
The President assured the public that he will protect, not destroy, democracy following his threat to put an end to rebels’ lawlessness.
“Kung ano martial na klase na gagawin ko, akin lang ‘yan. Pero kung gusto ninyo kasi pinagpapatay ‘yung mga sundalo ko pati pulis na walang ginawa kung hindi samahan lang mga nag-dedeliver ng pera pati pagkain,” he said.
Duterte has slammed the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for committing lawlessness “for the longest time 53 years.”
He lamented that rebels recently killed two Army soldiers escorting the delivery of relief supply to a community. “If that is not lawlessness, what is that? Tell me,” he said.
With the lingering threat from the communist group, the President has also authorized the military and police to kill the rebels if they threaten their lives. He vowed anew to put an end to the rebel insurgency in the remainder of his term.
“Ang utos sa kanila patayin kayo? Eh di patayin ninyo sila. Lahat na. tapusin na natin sa panahon ko. I have two more years, I will try to finish all of you,” he said.
He also directed the government troops to “reconfigure” and innovate on how to ensure safety while conducting relief operations.
“I’m calling the Armed forces to invent something more, to innovate so soldiers will not be at the mercy (of rebels),” he said.
In the same speech, Duterte slammed the “legal fronts” of the communist
group, saying they should better hide if he declares martial law.
“Do not force my hand into it. Pag martial law, lahat kayo mga legal fronts magtago na kayo. Huwag ninyo ako bolahin,” he said.
Duterte accused the groups with alleged communist links of taking money from businesses and other groups to fund the armed rebellion.
“You’re a bullsh*t. You’re the legal fronts. Sa inyo kumukuha kayo ng pera. Ang mga negosyo dito na malalaki sa Pilipinas, nagdedeposito ng pera ‘yan sa bangko sa account ninyo. Kinukuha ninyo. ‘Yan ang totoo dyan. Kaya nabubuhay ang NPA,” he said.
He said the rebel group also has lots of money due to extortion activities. He said the government won’t tolerate such unlawful activity.
“The government is very jealous. There is only one entity who can collect taxes and that’s government and that money must be put to good use,” he said.
But unlike the rebels, he said the government does not kill people if they are unable to pay taxes.
President Duterte has declared a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army effective March 19 to April 15 as the government steps up efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The President however has not yet extended the ceasefire following the alleged treacherous reports committed by rebels during the public health emergency. (Genalyn Kabiling)
