Chasing the Maute rebels; negotiating with the Reds

PRESIDENT Duterte has vowed to address trouble in Mindanao, specifically with a military offensive against the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur, which has killed at least 49 Islamic bandits and wounded 20 soldiers.

Rebel group which has linked up with the jihadist Islamic State or ISIS will be dealt with accordingly, DU30 warned.

*** The President said despite gunfights in Lanao, he was visiting the place ready for any eventuality, assuring the public that a rule and line of succession is in place.

“We have Vice President Leni Robredo. You can have a gentle president in exchange of discourteous mouth,” he joked.

*** Presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte condemned the attack on the advance presidential convoy, saying it was clearly “meant to undermine Duterte’s peace efforts and development agenda in Mindanao and the entire country... and to terrorize the government and the Filipino people,”

But can they terrorize Digong who even wants to smell powder and see military action?

*** Military authorities said troops have inched closer to the Maute Group strongholds in Barangay Sindig, Bayabaoin Butig town and other encampment, reinforced by armor, artillery, and air units, leading to the death of at least 19 Maute members.

Reconciliation with DU30 or an “eye for an eye…” till you get crosseyed?

*** As this developed, a bomb similar to the one that exploded in Davao City last September was found in a garbage bin near the US embassy in Manila last Monday but Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the public should not panic.

Let’s heed Bato’s advice: Don’t panic and instead go on a picnic — but make sure the place you go is safe.

*** Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said the military is not discounting the possibility that the ISIS-linked Maute Group could be behind the improvised explosive device (IED) found in front of the US embassy.

Padilla seemed to have added: ASIS? Aysus! Style niyo bulok!

*** Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, chairman of the government (GPH) peace negotiating panel, said that a bilateral ceasefire agreement may still be signed with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Dec. 10 or much later.

Ring the bell! Hope springs eternal with Kapitan Bebot.

*** But the CPP, in a statement, said that a bilateral agreement is “most likely not to be forged before or around Dec. 10, pending the release of all political prisoners.

Let’s wait for what DU30 and the Generals would say.

*** “The longer the GRP takes to fulfill its obligation to release all political prisoners, the prospects of such an agreement ever being forged become ever dimmer,” the CPP added.

Men of wisdom and goodwill from both camps, step forward. And let there be light!

*** Meanwhile, PNP chief Dela Rosa said 174 cops will be dismissed for failing the drug test or for using illegal drugs inimical to the interest of the police service.

Good riddance. Ibato niyo sila sa bangin o kangkungan!