Duterte to military: We can’t afford to pass insurgency woes to next generation

PHOTO EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has called on the state forces to put an end to the decades-long insurgency in the Philippines, stressing that it cannot be passed on to the next generations.

Speaking before agrarian reform beneficiaries on Tuesday, Duterte warned that there will be a “little trouble” in the coming months as the government forces move to wipe out communist elements.

“I am telling the military, kindly end it now. We can’t afford to pass it to the next generations,” Duterte said.

“I’m serving notice to everybody that in the coming months, it will be not really bloody, but there will be a little trouble. We have to finish it,” he added.

Peace talks between the government and communist rebels have been on and off under the Duterte administration.

In March, Duterte announced that he would formally close the door on the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), telling them to just “talk to the next President.”

He added that he has told the military and police to “finish” the insurgency.

However, Duterte said communist rebels who would lay down their arms would be given livelihood and education for their children.

READ: Duterte shuts door on peace talks: Talk to the next President

The government has also sought the declaration of the communist movement as a terrorist group.