Duterte claims communists rebels infiltrate political party of a presidential bet

President Rodrigo Duterte. Screengrab from PCOO / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has claimed that a political party headed by a presidential candidate is “infiltrated” by communist rebels.

In a recorded public address aired on Tuesday morning, Duterte urged the public not to join communist rebels, saying some political parties from the opposition are allied with them.

“Inuudyok ko lahat na ‘wag kayo sumali diyan sa mga rebelde na kasabwat ‘yung mga miyembro ng political parties sa kabila,” he said.

(I am urging everyone not to join the rebels, especially those who are conniving with members of political parties from the opposition.)

He did not name any political party, especially the one headed by a presidential candidate.

“I am not ready to mention the names, or name, may mga partido na headed by someone running for the presidency and yet they are also playing into the hands of the communist. I think they have been infiltrated,” Duterte said.

In his address, Duterte reiterated his call to communist rebels to surrender, saying he has distributed land for those who will return to society.

He said he hopes the next administration would continue what he started with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“Sabi ko sa mga komunista, lumabas na kayo, kung may panahon pa, basta malista kayo o kasali sa land reform, ito may sariling bahay, may sariling lupa,” he said.

(I told communists to go back, if there’s still time, they should just enlist in the land reform, they would be given houses with their own lands.

“We cannot afford to be giving lands to everyone because ang objective is for the communists to go back to the folds of the law,” Duterte added.

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