Days before Filipinos elected his successor, President Duterte said that the next administration could effectively deal with communist insurgents if it threw its full backing to the police and the military.
In an interview with his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on SMNI, Duterte was asked if the next administration should pursue another round of peace talks with the communist rebels.
In response, Duterte expressed hope that his successor would support government troops as much as he did.
"It depends, Pastor. If the President, whoever he or she may be, basta suportahan lang niya ang military at bigyan niya lang ‘yung kailangan (as long as they will support the military and give them what they need) just like what I did," he said.
Police and military personnel are wary of a possible violation of human rights, but President Duterte said that as long as they are doing their duties, they should enjoy the full support of the chief executive.
The President also mentioned the necessity of the Anti-Terrorism Law in fighting the communist rebellion. The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the law.
He said the country’s citizens should not worry about the law, stressing the people should just do what is right.
“Huwag ka nang lumayo doon sa (Do not go away from) your obligations as a citizen, you have the responsibility, we have all responsibilities na Pilipino tayo (as Filipinos). Just do what is right,” Duterte said.
"Now, ngayon sila they are rebels, insurgents really na wala na (it's gone) --- it’s bereft of any ideology, wala na talaga ‘yan, patay na ‘yang kanilang ideology (that ideology is gone), and yet they continue to wage war,” he added.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has been fighting the government for more than 53 years, and the Philippines is the only Asian country combating such insurgency.