(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday made the offer for New People’s Army “able-bodied” and qualified “soldiers” to fight for the government instead, noting that the communist insurgency has already gone on for around 50 years.
“I am again addressing myself to the NPA…Kayong mga sundalo sa NPA, kung gusto niyo sumali sa government ko, I will take you in as soldiers of the country…Anytime. Bumaba lang kayo at magtrain..,” he said during his visit to a military camp in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, where three soldiers who died in recent Marawi operations came from.
“We have been fighting for 50 years itong insurgency….and we would just like to talk,” he added.
Duterte made the offer even as he lashed out at communist leaders, who he said “had too much drama.”
He said “all I really wanted to do was talk.”
But according to Duterte, “everytime (the NPA leaders) make demands, it’s as if they are the ones trying to bargain (from a higher position).”
“…I did all that I could do. I called for a ceasefire first just to show our goodwill but they (bungled) it…Sila ngayon ang desperado na makipag-usap,” he said.
Nur Misuari to send MNLF fighters to help
In making the offer to NPA fighters, President Duterte noted that Nur Misuari, founder of the Moro National Liberation Front which is in peace talks with the government, offered his help by sending MNLF fighters to the battlefield.
“Nur is passionate about just getting the structure of federalism. Alam niya kasi…nandito na tayo. Kailangan..talagang mag-usap tayo,” he said.
He also noted that “at no other time in the history of this country, beginning from maybe Mr. (Ferdinand) Marcos na maraming nagsurrender na NPA.”
He said apart from the fact that they came “in droves,” they also surrendered their firearms.”
“Believe me. I’ve been mayor of the city of Davao for 23 years and ngayon ko lang nakita na magsurrender ang marami at pati armas. Nung magsurrender yan (dati) pinapatay talaga sila, but now (that’s not the case),” Duterte said.
