By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has ordered government troops to neutralize communist rebels engaged in atrocities, saying there was no need to present any court warrant.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the troops of the 803rd Infantry Brigade (803IB) of Philippine Army (PA) at the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy (CJPS) in Catarman, Northern Samar on October 2, 2018. (PCOO/ Facebook)
The President said the government was “not into crime prevention” but “neutralization” since the insurgents were committing rebellion "24 hours a day."
"We are not into a crime prevention. Pati ‘yung pulis kasali na. It’s neutralization --- then we can solve the problem," the commander-in-chief said before an assembly of the 803rd Brigade of the Philippine Army at the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy in Catarman, Northern Samar.
"There is no crime prevention because the crime is being perpetrated 24 hours a day. So hindi mo kailangan magtanong pa kung may warrant-warrant diyan ,” he said.
Duterte authorized the government security forces to "shoot first" if the rebels fight back and endanger the lives of the troops. He told the troops not to worry, saying he would support those performing their duty.
"‘Pag may dala ka ng baril diyan, sparrow ka, you can be neutralized. Huwag mo na akong bigyan ng bullsh*t na warrant-warrant ," he added.
Duterte, who has called off the government's peace talks with the communist group, argued that the rebels have done nothing but commit murder, extortion and arson.
He said once people join the rebel group and carry a firearm, they were "committing the crime of rebellion 24 hours a day" and just looking for an encounter with the troops.
"Anong nagawa ninyo para sa Pilipinas for 53 years? Patayan. Civilian, military, police, barangay captains karamihan patay. Iyong ayaw magbigay ng taxation, sinusunog ninyo ‘yung propidad ," he asked the communist rebels.
"In the 52 years, wala kayong ginawa kung hindi ‘yan. Hindi pa kayo nagsawa? Hindi naman kayo manalo ," he added.
The President also urged the military to step up their intelligence gathering to locate the armed communist rebels. He reminded them to remain alert and use the "buddy" system to avoid any attack by NPA sparrow units.
"Then ‘pag nakuha niyo, it’s neutralization. I will be criticized but I’m telling you, I am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal," he said.
He also pledged anew to support the troops, saying he would rather go to jail than let them rot in prison.
"Huwag kang mag-alala. ‘Pag ‘yan ang circumstances, nandiyan ako sa’yo. At hindi ako papayag makulong kayo sa isang araw. Maniwala kayo ," he said.
"Ang unang mapreso, ako. Hindi ‘yang sundalo ko. Kaya ‘yan ang utos ko. Neutralization. And that is the best way how to handle the problem now," he added.
The President, meantime, lauded the Army brigade for its relentless efforts to maintain law and order as well as protect the life and welfare of the people in Samar.
He commended the brigade’s accomplishments against the communist terrorists and their contributions in the campaign against illegal drugs.
"You have indeed served the country well with your recent achievements. Saludo ako sa inyo," he said.
From January to September 2018, the President said the soldiers have conducted internal security operations, resulting in the apprehension and surrender of NPA members.
He renewed the administration's call for the "communist terrorists to abandon their extremist activities and return to the fold of the law.”
Also, the President said the government was working towards strengthening the defense capabilities of the military and police. He said all soldiers would receive new pistols in due time because he does not want them to be "sitting ducks."
"For your Brigade, we have provided additional transport vehicles and extended fund support for the enhancement of the roads in the camp, the administration building, and the 8th ID Liaison Office building.
Duterte also said the administration would continue to take care of the soldiers and their families, as he reminded them to just continue performing their duties well.
"Just work well. Be cunning. Be smart. And do not be afraid of problems," he said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the troops of the 803rd Infantry Brigade (803IB) of Philippine Army (PA) at the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy (CJPS) in Catarman, Northern Samar on October 2, 2018. (PCOO/ Facebook)
The President said the government was “not into crime prevention” but “neutralization” since the insurgents were committing rebellion "24 hours a day."
"We are not into a crime prevention. Pati ‘yung pulis kasali na. It’s neutralization --- then we can solve the problem," the commander-in-chief said before an assembly of the 803rd Brigade of the Philippine Army at the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy in Catarman, Northern Samar.
"There is no crime prevention because the crime is being perpetrated 24 hours a day. So hindi mo kailangan magtanong pa kung may warrant-warrant diyan ,” he said.
Duterte authorized the government security forces to "shoot first" if the rebels fight back and endanger the lives of the troops. He told the troops not to worry, saying he would support those performing their duty.
"‘Pag may dala ka ng baril diyan, sparrow ka, you can be neutralized. Huwag mo na akong bigyan ng bullsh*t na warrant-warrant ," he added.
Duterte, who has called off the government's peace talks with the communist group, argued that the rebels have done nothing but commit murder, extortion and arson.
He said once people join the rebel group and carry a firearm, they were "committing the crime of rebellion 24 hours a day" and just looking for an encounter with the troops.
"Anong nagawa ninyo para sa Pilipinas for 53 years? Patayan. Civilian, military, police, barangay captains karamihan patay. Iyong ayaw magbigay ng taxation, sinusunog ninyo ‘yung propidad ," he asked the communist rebels.
"In the 52 years, wala kayong ginawa kung hindi ‘yan. Hindi pa kayo nagsawa? Hindi naman kayo manalo ," he added.
The President also urged the military to step up their intelligence gathering to locate the armed communist rebels. He reminded them to remain alert and use the "buddy" system to avoid any attack by NPA sparrow units.
"Then ‘pag nakuha niyo, it’s neutralization. I will be criticized but I’m telling you, I am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal," he said.
He also pledged anew to support the troops, saying he would rather go to jail than let them rot in prison.
"Huwag kang mag-alala. ‘Pag ‘yan ang circumstances, nandiyan ako sa’yo. At hindi ako papayag makulong kayo sa isang araw. Maniwala kayo ," he said.
"Ang unang mapreso, ako. Hindi ‘yang sundalo ko. Kaya ‘yan ang utos ko. Neutralization. And that is the best way how to handle the problem now," he added.
The President, meantime, lauded the Army brigade for its relentless efforts to maintain law and order as well as protect the life and welfare of the people in Samar.
He commended the brigade’s accomplishments against the communist terrorists and their contributions in the campaign against illegal drugs.
"You have indeed served the country well with your recent achievements. Saludo ako sa inyo," he said.
From January to September 2018, the President said the soldiers have conducted internal security operations, resulting in the apprehension and surrender of NPA members.
He renewed the administration's call for the "communist terrorists to abandon their extremist activities and return to the fold of the law.”
Also, the President said the government was working towards strengthening the defense capabilities of the military and police. He said all soldiers would receive new pistols in due time because he does not want them to be "sitting ducks."
"For your Brigade, we have provided additional transport vehicles and extended fund support for the enhancement of the roads in the camp, the administration building, and the 8th ID Liaison Office building.
Duterte also said the administration would continue to take care of the soldiers and their families, as he reminded them to just continue performing their duties well.
"Just work well. Be cunning. Be smart. And do not be afraid of problems," he said.