President Duterte on Wednesday said that communist rebels will never be able to overpower the government, given their limited resources and being outnumbered by soldiers.
In a speech in Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Duterte urged members of the New People’s Army to just surrender.
“Pero magsige kayo ambush. Sabagay, masakit sa akin mamatayan ako ng lima, anim, pito. Pero I will never run out of soldiers because you are outnumbered. I think one is to 1,000,” he said. “Iilan lang kayo? And you choose to fight. At tatapang lang kayo kasi may baril kayo,” he added.
“Maubos mo kaya ang sundalo ko? Maubos kaya ‘yung bala ko? Eroplano ko? Eh hindi ko alam kung saan ninyo inilagay ‘yung utak ninyo diyan. Bakit na lang hindi kayo mag-surrender?” he said.
The President also said that he is open to a dialogue with the communist rebels as long as they lay down their arms.
“Kung kaya ninyo makipag-usap, wala akong problema. Just drop your weapon, stop fighting and we will talk. And I can give you right away one-third of what you are asking,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Duterte conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu on soldiers who were killed and wounded in clashes with the NPA in Samar while visiting the camp.
Duterte recognized the sacrifice of the soldiers who perished while doing their duty.
“I also salute our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during an ambush by communist terrorists last April. Their sacrifice for our country will never be forgotten and their needs, including those of their families, will be taken care of,” Duterte said.
The recipients of the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan were Corporals Eduardo Vigilia Jr. and Mark Lester Amparo, Privates First Class Joseph Salonga, Mark Louie Lantecsi, Mark Kevin Frigillana, and Joemar Glenn Seligbon, and Privates Delio Amaro, Joseph Renel Gentalian, and Rex Español.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy. (Argyll Geducos)