Duterte underscores urgency to pursue talks with Muslim, communist rebels
DAVAO CITY – President Duterte said the government remains committed to pursue talks with the Muslim insurgents as well as the local communist rebels.
He said failure to sign a
peace agreement with the Muslim insurgents will mean no end to the injustice against the Moro people.
“We continue to hang on to the talks because we believe historically they are deprived and that is why we continue to talk to Murad and Nur,” Duterte told reporters here Friday night.
Duterte was referring to Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman AlHajj Murad Ebrahim and the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari.
Last September 14, Duterte met with the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in Malacañang and with Misuari on September 16 in Davao City.
The 21-member BTC is the body tasked to craft the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will give way for the creation of the new political entity called the Bangsamoro that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“I said nobody wins just like Marawi, wala tayong panalo doon… puro Pilipino yun,” he said.
He also blamed the “alien ideology” brought in by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for spreading terrorism in Mindanao.
Duterte also stressed that terrorism is “not the work of a believer of Islam.”
“I should know that. You know my roots. I'd be the last person to condemn the Moro people,” Duterte said.
When he made his fifth visit to Marawi City on Friday, Duterte said lawmakers are expected to file the BBL which he vowed to certify as urgent bill.
House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas on Thursday said the new BBL will be filed by the BTC next week.
Wednesday night, the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting discussed the BBL after it was not included in the list of the priority bills during the August 29 meeting.
The MILF has repeatedly said that the passage of the BBL is a key to address the problem on violent extremism espoused by groups who are frustrated with the historical injustice experienced by the Moro people.
Amnesty for NPAs mulled
In the communist insurgency front, President Duterte appealed to members of the New People's Army (NPA) to come down as he may give them general amnesty if Congress approves it.
“Bumaba kayo para wala nang away,” Duterte said here late Friday night.
He added: “Maybe, just maybe, Congress will agree with me, I will just declare a general amnesty.”
“I think in the next few months maraming magbabaan. Ito walang harassment, hindi ako mag-account kung ilan ang pinatay ninyo,” Duterte said.
Duterte promised to give housing units to NPA members who will surrender and those who are “qualified” will be hired as government soldiers.
He said even if the communists will fight for another 50 years, they will gain nothing but only suffering.
“Ano pang gawin niyo sa buhay? Magtakbo? Magpaputok? Mamatay? Pati gutom, sakit?” he said.
Duterte, who met the members of the media at the Matina Enclaves, said he will push for land reform next year and will provide additional funds for health.