Duterte renews call for NPAs to lay down arms, vows economic support

WHILE PEACE talks between the government and the leadership of communist groups remain suspended, President Rodrigo R. Duterte called anew on members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to lay down their arms as he vowed to provide them with housing and employment.

“Look, I am addressing myself to all the soldiers of the New People’s Army. Mag-surrender na lang kayo… At sabi ko, may trabaho kayo naghihintay (And I say, there will be livelihood waiting for you). (And) I am building, all throughout the country, almost 5,000 (houses under the) National Housing Authority,” Mr. Duterte said during a press conference in Davao City late Tuesday upon arriving from his Japan visit.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Mr. Duterte ordered a suspension of the peace talks with the CPP and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in May after the groups’ leaders called on the NPA on the ground to step up attacks, particularly on government forces. The NPA is also known to carry out attacks against private businesses that refuse to pay their so-called revolutionary taxes.

Mr. Duterte said his offer to the NPA is intended to end the armed struggle — which has been running for half a century and considered the longest in Asia — and stop the killing between communist rebels and soldiers who are all Filipinos.

“I’m just saying na… kung ayaw na ninyo ng patayan, or pumatay ng kapwa mo Pilipino, mag-surrender ka na (that.. if you do not want to kill anymore, or kill your fellow Filipinos, then surrender),” he said.

The President also expressed support for the initiative of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, his daughter, to have localized peace talks with the NPA.

“I am encouraging her. And to the New People’s Army, do not take it so badly. Wala namang pilitan ‘to eh. ‘Yung gusto lang magpahinga (This is not being forced on you, it is being offered to those who already want a rest from the fighting),” he said.

“If you are tired killing another human being, you’re always invited to go back mainstream,” he added.

Mr. Duterte also said that he has not closed the door on the peace talks and that he is “not about ready to give up everything and anything in the altar of peace for our country.” — Rosemarie A. Zamora