US, Israel extend military aid to address Communist threat in PH

The United States (US) and Israel have extended military assistance to the Philippines in addressing the threat of the Communist rebellion, President Duterte disclosed last Wednesday.

The President said helicopters and drones have been deployed to track down armed rebels although he has barred them from drop-

ping bombs on the enemies of the state.

“Maraming tumutulong… Israel, USA. Kaya nakikita kayo sa drone, helicopter. Gusto nila na titirahin kayo diyan sa taas. Ako lang ang tiga-pigil (There many helping us such as Israel and USA. You've probably seen the helicopters and drones. They want to blast you from above but I was the only who stopped them),” Duterte said during his visit to Masbate last Wednesday.

The President, who remained open to the possibility of resuming the peace talks, said he prefers the rebels to lay down their arms and surrender to authorities.

“Sabi ko, huwag na. Pasalubungin mo na lang ng sundalo, baka makumbinsi mo pang magsurrender (I told them not to. Just deploy the soldiers on the ground and hopefully they will be convinced to surrender instead),” he added.

Duterte has offered to give the rebels housing and livelihood assistance if they surrender to the government. He reiterated that the communist movement was a failed rebellion that only led to deaths and misery of people.

“Sumurrender kayo. Bigyan ko kayo ng lupa, i-land reform ko muna ‘to at itatayuan ko kayo ng bahay (You should surrender. I will give you land. I place it under land reform and build houses for you),” he said.

“At for the meantime na pinagaralan ninyo paano maghanapbuhay, papapasukin ko dito ang TESDA, ‘yung livelihood, electricians, tapos ang DSWD kung ano pang matulong nila (And for the meantime, you can learn job skills. I'll enroll you at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to learn livelihood, become electricians. The Department of Social Welfare and Development can also assist you),” he said.

He also hit back at communist leader Jose Sison for duping the people to join his rebellion. He told the rebels to use their head and realize Sison was not a good leader.

“Kung bright ‘yang leader ninyo si Sison bakit ako ang Presidente hindi siya? Eh gamitin utak ninyo. (If Sison is a bright leader, why am I the President not him? You should use your head),” he said.

Meanwhile, President Duterte is considering the “arming of everyone” if the communist rebels would intensify atrocities against the government and the people.

The President said he could even be forced to acquire firearms for local government executives so they can help deal with the threat posed by the communist insurgency.

“Sinasabi ko lang sa NPA, ayaw kong armasan ang mga tao. Pero ‘pag sige ganun ang ano, I will allow the purchase of individual firearm [I'm telling the NPA, I don't want to arm the people but if they continue to attack, I will allow the purchase of individual firearms],” Duterte said during his visit to Masbate last Wednesday.

“Pati ‘yung mga mayor bigyan ko ‘yan ng armas talaga if they continue with this kind of… Mapipilitan talaga ako – siyempre kasi ang mga mayor they would feel naked without… Maski ikaw naman makipag-giyera ka nang walang armas [I can also give weapons to the mayors if the rebels continue with this kind of... I will be forced to. Of course the mayors they would feel naked without arms, even you if you go to war without weapons],” he added.

Duterte made the proposal after urging anew rebels to stop their attacks against government troops and surrender to authorities instead.

He offered anew to resume the peace talks with the rebel group if they would end their atrocities.