Rody asks NPA to lay down arms, promises jobs

MANILA, Philippines — With about $9 billion worth of assistance from Japan that will span five years, President Duterte has renewed his call to communist rebels to lay down their arms in yet another attempt to address the 50-year-old insurgency in the country.

Duterte said he is ready to provide livelihood opportunities to the rebels, especially in the wake of a renewed promise from Tokyo that it would help the Philippines in rebuilding Marawi and the development of more infrastructure projects all over the country.

During his arrival speech last Tuesday night, Duterte again appealed to New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to seek the path of peace.

“I am addressing myself to all the soldiers of the New People’s Army: mag-surrender na lang kayo ngayon at ibaba ninyo ang inyong baril (Just surrender now and lay down your arms),” he said upon arrival at the Davao International Airport.

“At sabi ko, may trabaho kayo naghihintay (I said, there are jobs waiting for you),” he told the rebels. “This is not an honorarium thing. You have to work for it.”  

Prioritizing military

Meanwhile, Duterte also apologized to the soldiers for allowing members of the left-leaning Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to take over a government housing site in Bulacan.

Duterte revealed that his administration is ready to construct almost 5,000 housing units for the military under the National Housing Authority.

“The one for the military in Bulacan grabbed by the people, I just told the Armed Forces and the police, ‘I’m sorry. We cannot quarrel with these poor people. If only they had houses, they won’t grab, anyway’,” he said in Filipino.

The Chief Executive added that he is allocating about P500 million for the military for their medication.

“And so, since we are in the service of the Republic, I hope you can sacrifice a little bit,” he said. “Just wait but I will build you as I… Except for those wounded in – lalo na ’yung (especially the ones) permanently… They will have their houses built at once,” he said.

Fight vs corruption

Duterte again expressed displeasure over the complexities brought about by the tedious public bidding procedures that delay government projects.

“I don’t want to go through a lot of documents. I don’t like biddings. I’ll just give it to… You know, that lowest bid is a b*** s***. That was what… has been pulling our country down ever since,” he said.

The President also condemned anew corruption, which affects the delivery of better service.

“Every generation or government administration has had its share of corruption in their budget, always,” Duterte said.

The administration’s campaign against corruption had prompted Duterte to fire an undersecretary in the budget department.

“He was screwing government, you know? Good thing, I didn’t push him to fall from the… In truth, I wanted to kick him on the stairway. That’s what makes me hot-tempered,” Duterte said.

Not giving up

In the same arrival speech, Duterte said he is not giving up on peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). 

“I am not about ready to give up everything and anything in the altar of peace for our country,” the President said, adding there is still hope for the peace talks to proceed with the communist rebels. 

The peace process with the CPP/National Democratic Front/NPA has again been stalled as Duterte ordered the government panel to withdraw from the negotiating table. 

The President said the peace negotiation would only continue provided the leftist rebels come up with a document indicating a unilateral ceasefire.

He likewise expressed support for his daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s efforts for localized peace talks with the NPA operating in the hinterlands of the city. 

Sara has been initiating such talks and even offered them jobs provided they would surrender in bunches.

“Yes. If you all surrender, nothing will really happen. Fifty years in the making, then you are another 50 years. We can talk continuously with the Left,” he said, urging the rebels to stop fighting and killing fellow Filipinos.

Marawi infra projects 

Meanwhile, Duterte vowed to jumpstart infrastructure projects in Marawi by next week after he reaches a consensus with Cabinet officials during their meeting on Monday.

Duterte said he has asked his Cabinet members for the list of projects to determine which areas should be prioritized in the rebuilding of Marawi.

“It is there already and I said, we will be discussing it, making it the first issue in the agenda,” he said.

The joint task force in Marawi City has completed its review and assessment in the areas destroyed during the battle between government forces and extremists.

The government has also started the construction of temporary relocation sites for the thousands of families displaced by the conflict.

Duterte was optimistic about Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pledge to help the country.

In a joint statement earlier, Abe said the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi are “extremely important.”

Japan also offered to help with other projects ranging from rail infrastructure to river defenses, including a possible 600-billion-yen loan to help fund the development of a subway in Manila.

Duterte also revealed that the government is looking at a large tract of land in Marawi where the Armed Forces can put up a camp in a bid to sustain the government’s action against terrorism in the region.

             – With Edith Regalado