Defense chief supports Duterte’s call for NPA to lay down arms

MANILA — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest call for the communist rebels to lay down their arms.

Lorenzana said the President’s call shows that he [the President] is giving them every chance for a peaceful resolution to the long-running armed conflict.

He said the Duterte has offered homes and livelihood to every NPA fighter that returns to the fold of the law.

“Buong pusong binibigyan ng Pangulo ang mga NPA ng pagkakataon na magbago at mabuhay ng marangal. His offer to accommodate members of the communist movement shows his sincerity,” Lorenzana said.

The Defense department, according to Lorenzana, is delighted to note that a number of NPAs have accepted the offer and are now restarting to live normal lives.

“Marami-rami na rin ang nagkusangloob na bumalik sa gobyerno,” he said, adding that “The Department of National Defense fully supports the peace and security agenda of the President.”

Lorenzana reiterated their call for the NPA to stop their illegal activities, return to the fold of the law, and “be part of the real change that the president has spearheaded for the betterment of our country and the lives of our people.”

Duterte, upon his return from Japan last Wednesday, promised that he will take care of the NPA rebels who will surrender to government.

“And to the New People's Army, do not take it so badly. Wala namang pilitan ito eh, iyong gusto lang magpahinga. If you're tired of killing a human being, you can always go back mainstream. Alagaan ko kayo," he said as he expressed support for the effort of his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to talk with local communist rebels.