Duterte orders hit squad vs Sparrows

To counter the threat from communist rebels, President Duterte has called on the military and police to learn

the "art of assassination” and form their own hit squad.

The President said if the New People’s Army (NPA) has liquidation teams targeting soldiers and cops, the government should

also create a unit that will hunt down these hitmen.

"I’m addressing myself to the police and the military. I’ve been telling you sparrow, sparrow, sparrow. Kasi kukunin talaga nila ‘yan, ‘yang armas na ‘yan. Para sa kanila, ‘pag makakita ng armas ‘yung NPA, hindi ka hintuan niyan hanggang… So you — sabi ko, learn the art of assassination [because they will try to get your weapons. The NPAs will not stop until they get the weapons so I said learn the art of assassination]," Duterte said during a gathering of motorcycle club members in Iloilo City.

"Kung may sparrow ang NPA, bakit wala akong sparrow? O? ‘Di sabi ko sa kanila, “Well, you form a unit, kung maghanap lang rin para sparrowhin (sparrow) ‘yung NPA' (If the NPA have sparrow units, why don't I have my own sparrow? I told them, 'Well you form a unit to target the NPAs)," he said.

Duterte taunted the rebels that they don't hold the monopoly of having a group of hitmen. "Kung anong gagawain mo, gagawin ko. Bakit? Sino bang — ikaw lang ang gustong makalamang sa buhay na ito? Kung hindi ka g*** (I will do whatever you do. Why? You think you are the only one who has an edge in this life? You fool)," he said.

The President first broached the idea of forming a government death squad back in

November. Dismayed by the rebel attacks on government troops, Duterte said he would be forced to create a team that will target the NPA sparrow units.

“I will match their talent of assassinating people,” he said during the turnover of military housing units in Bohol last November.

The President has recently distributed new pistols to soldiers and policemen after expressing concern that they remain vulnerable to rebel attacks.

The government has terminated the peace talks with the communist rebel group in protest of the atrocities committed against troops and civilian communities.

Duterte told communist leader Jose Sison to try to talk to the next president since he was no longer pursuing peace negotiations with them.