Duterte threatens to go after left-leaning organizations

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte on Saturday threatened to go after left-leaning organizations as he upped the ante against communist rebels.

Speaking to reporters shortly after his arrival from India, Duterte reiterated his order to destroy the communists, saying “talks with the NPAs are over.”

“I will go after the legal fronts,” Duterte said.

He said he has known all along that progressive groups have been supporting the Maoist insurgency.

“Let’s not kid ourselves,” he said.

The President said he was just waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court on his proclamation declaring the NPA and its allied organizations as terrorists “which you really are.”

“I will look into your transactions, money laundering,” Mr. Duterte said, adding he would also go after businesses paying extortion money to the communists, particularly banana plantations and mining firms.