Duterte not giving up on peace with Reds
President Duterte is not giving up on peace and expressed willingness to talk to the communist rebels anew but not in the near future.
Duterte made the statement days after he signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which aims to grant the Bangsamoro region fiscal autonomy and bring peace to Mindanao.
In a speech in Zamboanga Sibugay, Duterte expressed hope of having a good relationship with Mindanao leaders.
“I hope that the leaders and I would get along. The communists — we will talk eventually whichHouse
ever way you want it. But we will talk in a matter of time. But I am quite tough,” he said in Bisaya.
According to Duterte, there will come a day when the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) will return to the negotiation table and talk peace, even if he is not president anymore.
“Pero (But) if it’s an issue of whether or not we have to talk, we have to talk someday,” he said.
“I may not be the President by that time but we have to talk because we cannot fight a war against our own people. Pilipino atong kontra eh (We are fighting against Filipinos). So I kind of… We’ll look for a way to do it,” he added.
Duterte also reiterated his appeal to armed groups to not involve innocent civilians in their operations.
“Ayaw ko ng away (I don’t want to fight). It is not an option for me. I cannot choose war. So ako nakikiusap, magusap lang tayo (That’s why I am talking with you. Let’s just talk). But please do not do it to the civilian,” he said.
“Kaya if you oppress the civilian pareho niadto, you will stretch it beyond its normal proportion. Di gyud ko musugot og ingon ana (Because if you oppress the civilian just like before and stretch it beyond its normal proportion, I will not allow that to happen). Because that is oppression. I do not like it,” he added.
The President warned them that they will face the consequences if they touch civilians.
“Nandiyan ang Army, ang Armed Forces pati ang pulis (The Army, the Armed Forces, and the police are just there---and we are ready to respond anytime,” he warned.
“Di ko muingon manimalos, vindictive oh, but di gyud ko musugot. Not – I said not during my time. Paghuwat lang mo’g mga ano (I’m not saying that I will seek revenge or that I’m vindictive, but I will never allow that. Not – I said not during my time. Just wait),” he said.
After cancelling the peace talks in November last year, Duterte decided to give the negotiations with the Reds another try in March this year. However, CPP founder thumbed down one of Duterte’s conditions that the talks should be held in the country.
CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison also said that the Reds would no longer talk peace with the government under the leadership of President Duterte, and would instead support efforts to oust him.