President Duterte on Monday, March 7, said in jest that members of the New People's Army (NPA) should be invited to the inauguration of government projects as a "retreat from fighting."
Duterte made the remark during his "Talk To The People" public address aired Monday night while Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade was reporting the accomplishments in his Department.
"'Yung pag inaugurate mo doon sa Samar, huwag mo kalimutan imbitahin ang mga NPA (When you inaugurate your projects in Samar, don't forget to invite members of the NPA)," Duterte told Tugade.
"Wala nang ginawa kundi mag-ambush ng mga sundalo ko kaya yayain mo na lang (They have nothing else to do but to ambush my soldiers so just invite them)," he noted.
During his report, Tugade shared that the DOTr is set to rollout seaport projects in Eastern Samar.
"Ako na ang nagyaya sa kanila. Magkita na lang tayo doon, walang hulihan. Kasali kayo lahat pati sa kainan (I am now inviting them. Let us meet up there peacefully. You are all welcome even during the feast)," Duterte said.
"Just a one day retreat from fighting," he added.
Last February, Philippine security forces condemned the NPA following the deaths of two civilian children who were caught in a crossfire when the NPA insurgents ambushed government troops in Catubig, Northern Samar.
Aside from the minor victims, Philippine Army 803rd Infantry Brigade (PA 803IB) Commander Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo said two other civilians were wounded during the incident.
Capt. Ryan Layug, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, added that three villages in Northern Samar were simultaneously strafed by the NPA fighters, wounding one of their soldiers last year.