President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo from an RTVM video)
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night ordered policemen not to commit any extrajudicial killing in their campaign against illegal drugs, terrorists, and communist insurgents.
The President also ordered the military and the police to “give no quarter” in their new offensive against the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“There should be no extrajudicial killing. No extrajudicial killing. If you want legitimate encounters, we have many like that,” the President said in a speech in Camp Crame.
Mr. Duterte scored the NPA for ambushing soldiers who were helping and providing relief to victims of Typhoon Urduja in Northern Samar. Two soldiers were injured in the ambush in Catubig town.
“My directive to the police and to the armed forces is to give you quarter. No quarters asked, no quarters given,” the President said
“ I’m sick and tired of talking to you. You are like (the Islamic State),” he added.
Mr. Duterte said that the NPA ambush of soldiers helping typhoon victims showed the futility of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed wing the NPA.
“That’s why I said there was no point talking to you,” the President said.
Mr. Duterte repeated his accusation that NPA members were sexually harassing women in the countryside.
“The (CPP) leadership, because you’re old, you allow these things to happen,” the President said.
“You were cowards before and were able to take hold of a gun so you are now brave. That’s the problem with guns. It gives you extraordinary power in your mind,” he added.
The President also said he could not grant the communists’ request for a coalition government because the military would oust him.
“Those in front of me will launch a revolt. I will be killed,” he added.
Mr. Duterte earlier issued proclamations formally terminating the peace talks with communist insurgents and declaring the CPP and the NPA as terrorist organizations.