Says New People’s Army “soldiers” who will surrender to the gov’t will receive houses, jobs
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte expressed support for the peace talks with Communists launched by her daughter Sara Duterte in Davao, even if talks between the national government and the rebels were already terminated months ago.
“Yes,” Duterte told reporters when asked if he supported the Davao mayor’s initiative, upon his arrival in the country from his 2-day visit to Japan.
In his speech, Duterte also reiterated his call for the communist rebel-“soldiers” to surrender.
He said the government would “take care of them, eventually just to prepare (their) entry into the mainstream.”
“Magsurrender nalang kayo ngayon at ibaba ninyo inyong baril o isurrender ninyo at sabi ko may trabaho kayong naghihintay,” he said.
He noted that the government would give them houses “automatic(ally),” noting that the National Housing Authority was building almost 5000 houses all over the country.
“..Pero magtrabaho kayo. This is an honorarium thing. You have to work for it. Tutal sundalo, magtrabaho ka, patay ka pa,” he said.
On July 24, the President categorically declared there would be no more peace talks with the communist rebels.
Duterte made the announcement following attacks by members of their armed wing, the New People’s Army, on government forces, including one that saw four presidential guards wounded in Arakan, North Cotabato.
The attacks came even while peace talks between the government and the communists were supposedly ongoing.