Duterte: It’s easy to bomb NPA camps but…

President Rodrigo Duterte. AP FILE

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte said the government can easily bomb rebel positions but had not done so to spare civilians and other non-combatants.

Duterte said the technology provided by the country’s allies like the United States and Israel made it easy for the government to spot communist camps.

“Nakikita kayo sa drone, helicopter,” (You are visible to drones, helicopters) the President said Wednesday in a speech in Dimasalang town in Masbate province. “Maraming tumutulong … Israel, USA,” (Many are assisting us … Israel, the USA) he also said.

“Gusto nila na titirahin kayo diyan sa taas. Ako lang ang tiga-pigil. Sabi ko, huwag na,” (They want to hit you from the air. But I stop them. I tell them ‘Don’t.’) Duterte added.

“The waging of war, kinokontrol ko ‘yan, lalo na paggamit ng bomba. Kasi alam mo pagka-bomba, bomba. Kung i-landing diyan ‘yang isa, ubos tayo dito lahat. Eh paano ‘yung mga civilian?” (I control the waging of war, especially in the use of bombs. With bombs, land one here and we’re all goners. Now, how about civilians?) he said.

“Kung wala lang civilian, medyo matagal na sigurong malinis ito. Hulugan ko na lang ng bomba,” (Had there been no civilians, this would have long been over. I’ll just bomb them.) he said.

The President then reiterated his call for communist rebels to surrender.

“Sumurender kayo. Bibigyan ko kayo ng lupa, i-land reform ko muna ‘to at patatayuan ko kayo ng bahay,” Duterte said, apparently addressing members of the communist New People’s Army.

“For the meantime na pinag-aralan ninyo paano maghanap-buhay, papapasukin ko dito ang TESDA, ‘yung livelihood, electricians, tapos ang DSWD kung ano pang matulong nila,” he said.

In November 2017, Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the communist rebels.

Despite his harsh words against the communists and their leaders, the chief executive has recently said the government was still open to resume peace talks with the  rebels. /cbb