President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo from an RTVM video)
DAVAO CITY – President Duterte on Thursday warned the so-called “enemies of the state” they would no longer be safe in Mindanao which had been put under an extended martial law after what happened in Marawi.
“In Manila, you’re safe, but remember in Mindanao, there is a martial law,” the President said as he blasted the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels for undermining the previous talks with the government by launching attacks while the talks were ongoing.
Duterte said “enemies of the state” would be arrested in Mindanao and that he would not follow the 36-hour rule to file charges, once they were in his hands.
“Enemies of the state, watch out,” Mr. Duterte said. “When I get hold of you, the 36-hour rule on investigation and filing of charges would not apply.”
“I don’t believe in the (36) hours….that’s bullshit,” Mr. Duterte said.
“If you get arrested here, beware, because there would be no bail for you here,” he said. “I would rather not get hold of you if you’d only be released.”
He said the rebels had actually sabotaged the talks because they attacked soldiers and policemen even while the negotiations were still going on and they continued collecting “revolutionary taxes.”
“We had ceasefire but you killed my soldiers and the policemen. You’re really rowdy and fools,” Mr. Duterte said.
“These NPA rebels, with all their posturing about helping people, they stymied (development).