Duterte: Government forces will deal with problem of terrorism, communists
Published Feb 11, 2018 02:00 pm
By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY– President Duterte said the government forces will deal with the problem of terrorism just like how the military and the police forces dealt with the Islamic State-inspired militants during the nearly five-month long Marawi siege.
Duterte said in a press conference here on Friday that government forces will deal with communist forces just the same.
President Rodrigo Duterte (Keith Bacongco/ Manila Bulletin file photo)
“And we have this problem of terrorism, we will deal with them, just like the way the Armed Forces and the police reacted during the Marawi siege. And for the communists, no quarters, no ask,” Duterte told a press conference at the Matina Enclaves on Friday.
The Islamic State-inspired Maute Group occupied Marawi City on May 23, 2017, prompting President Duterte to respond by placing Mindanao under martial law.
The President requested for its extension twice – from July 22 until December 31,2017 and another extension from December 31, 2017 until December 31, 2018. The Congress approved it.
Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of Philippines to cancel the multimillion-dollar deal with Canada for the purchase of 16 helicopters after its government called for a review on this transaction for fear it might be used against rebels and terrorists.
Duterte added if government forces could not use the helicopters against terrorists and rebels, the country must prepare for eventual collapse.
He said he cannot allow the global terrorist group Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to further contaminate the country.
“If I cannot use the gunship and helicopters, then I might as well surrender this government to them,” he said. “That’s the logic. I do not question your logic. Your logic is your logic. My logic is mine. It is based on the realities on the ground.”
Duterte said he respects the stand of Canada, whose government reportedly insisted it would only sell helicopters only for evacuation and emergency purposes and that it cannot be used against anti-insurgency operations. He, likewise, ordered the military not to buy even from the United States.
“So from here on now, I am directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines since most of the guns, bullets and whatever weapons of war, invariably could be used against the rebels and terrorists. Do not do anymore from Canada or from United States because there is always condition attached,” he said.
Duterte also vowed to put an end on the armed insurgencies in Mindanao. However, the supposed fifth round of talks with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of Philippines, on November 25 to 27, 2017 in Oslo, Norway did not push through, following the issuance of Proclamation 360.
The Proclamation 360 ordered the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza and the government peace negotiators to stop all peace talks with the communist group for failing to show “sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged on acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people.”
Duterte was prompted to issue the order, following the NPA ambush on a police patrol vehicle in Bukidnon on November 9, 2017 that left two dead, including four-month-oldWalysha Machorao, and six people injured.
On December 5, 2017, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 374 designating the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as terrorist organizations pursuant to Republic Act 10168, also known as the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2002.
Duterte urged the rebels in his previous speeches to lay down arms and go back to the government fold, as he promised them to provide livelihood support and employment opportunities.
President Rodrigo Duterte (Keith Bacongco/ Manila Bulletin file photo)
“And we have this problem of terrorism, we will deal with them, just like the way the Armed Forces and the police reacted during the Marawi siege. And for the communists, no quarters, no ask,” Duterte told a press conference at the Matina Enclaves on Friday.
The Islamic State-inspired Maute Group occupied Marawi City on May 23, 2017, prompting President Duterte to respond by placing Mindanao under martial law.
The President requested for its extension twice – from July 22 until December 31,2017 and another extension from December 31, 2017 until December 31, 2018. The Congress approved it.
Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of Philippines to cancel the multimillion-dollar deal with Canada for the purchase of 16 helicopters after its government called for a review on this transaction for fear it might be used against rebels and terrorists.
Duterte added if government forces could not use the helicopters against terrorists and rebels, the country must prepare for eventual collapse.
He said he cannot allow the global terrorist group Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to further contaminate the country.
“If I cannot use the gunship and helicopters, then I might as well surrender this government to them,” he said. “That’s the logic. I do not question your logic. Your logic is your logic. My logic is mine. It is based on the realities on the ground.”
Duterte said he respects the stand of Canada, whose government reportedly insisted it would only sell helicopters only for evacuation and emergency purposes and that it cannot be used against anti-insurgency operations. He, likewise, ordered the military not to buy even from the United States.
“So from here on now, I am directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines since most of the guns, bullets and whatever weapons of war, invariably could be used against the rebels and terrorists. Do not do anymore from Canada or from United States because there is always condition attached,” he said.
Duterte also vowed to put an end on the armed insurgencies in Mindanao. However, the supposed fifth round of talks with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of Philippines, on November 25 to 27, 2017 in Oslo, Norway did not push through, following the issuance of Proclamation 360.
The Proclamation 360 ordered the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza and the government peace negotiators to stop all peace talks with the communist group for failing to show “sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged on acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people.”
Duterte was prompted to issue the order, following the NPA ambush on a police patrol vehicle in Bukidnon on November 9, 2017 that left two dead, including four-month-oldWalysha Machorao, and six people injured.
On December 5, 2017, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 374 designating the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as terrorist organizations pursuant to Republic Act 10168, also known as the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2002.
Duterte urged the rebels in his previous speeches to lay down arms and go back to the government fold, as he promised them to provide livelihood support and employment opportunities.