It was done for the sake of winning votes.

President Duterte admitted Thursday that he made friends with some communist rebels in the past just to secure their support in the elections. But ever since he became President, Duterte explained that he could not grant the demands of the rebels or else he would risk treason charges.

Duterte, a long-time mayor of Davao City, won the elections in 2016 with a six-year term that will end next year. He previously claimed that he considered the communist insurgents as his friends.

"Noon, boto lang ako, eleksyon eh. Pagka eleksyon maski sino basta makaboto, makakuha ka ng boto, okay na. Noon ‘yon. Pero ngayon kasi ako, from mayor to president, at napasa sa akin ang burden of governance (In the past, I had to get votes during the elections. Every elections, as long I could get votes, it was okay. That was before. But now, from mayor to president, the burden of government has been passed to me),” Duterte said during a government assembly aimed at fighting the local armed communist conflict in Tacloban City, Leyte Thursday, March 18.

"I cannot do otherwise because I will be guilty of treason. At kung ginawa ko ‘yan, if I play patchy (footsie) with them, yayariin ako ng mga military, sigurado ‘yan (The military will hit me back, that's certain)," he said.

Despite his recent kill order against armed communist rebels, the President conceded there was no instant solution to the decades-long insurgency.

He said the government needed the cooperation and patriotism of all sectors, particularly barangay captains, to triumph over the insurgency and attain peace and development in communities.

"I know that this problem cannot be solved overnight. That is why I am asking for the cooperation and solidarity of all sectors of society in ending this armed conflict once and for all," he said.

"With your support and patriotism, I am confident that we will triumph over the challenges ahead of us. Be assured that the entire force of the Filipino people, through the hands of the government, is behind you as well to secure a genuine and lasting peace for our motherland," he said.

The President visited Tacloban Thursday to attend a meeting on the government's efforts to combat the insurgency in Eastern Visayas, including development programs in barangays reportedly cleared of rebel influence. The program included the distribution of 2,334 hectares to land reform beneficiaries in the region.

Duterte insisted that the communist ideology was dead, adding the rebel group has become "bandits" committing extortion and other violent acts against people.

"The government will continue to use all resources to provide support to land reform beneficiaries, sustain peace and development in communist terrorist group-cleared barangays, and prevent any future influence of the enemies of the state," he added.