Duterte blames NPA for Sagay killings

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has blamed the New People’s Army (NPA), the communists’ armed wing, for the killing of nine farmers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, echoing the military’s claim that the victims were used by the rebels to discredit the government.

Duterte said the nine farmers shot dead in Sagay late last month were “fooled” by the ideals of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison.

“That’s how it is… The incident. The style of the communists is they kill their own comrades and blame it on the (government). The NPA are such fools,” the President said during the distribution of land ownership certificates in Cagayan de Oro last Wednesday.

“I feel very sorry for them. They were fooled by Sison’s ideals,” he added.

The nine sugar workers were killed by unidentified gunmen while preparing to cultivate land in Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City last Oct. 20.

Militant groups have accused government forces of carrying out the killing, noting that the military has labeled land cultivation areas as communal farms that support the NPA.

The military, however, claimed the communists were behind the incident, saying the farmers were used as “bait” to embarrass the government before international human rights bodies.

“Why would you let yourself be fooled with that? Who is your God? Sison? Everything that you died for, the idea, your theology and politics, all of it came from Sison’s brain,” Duterte said.

The Chief Executive claimed the shooting happened because of a misunderstanding between the victims’ recruiters and members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW).

“The communists are acting up now. The federation, the one where children were shot, they are the ones who brought with them new recruits. This means if they see a vacant lot, they occupy it. They forced some people to join their federation but the group said, ‘Don’t bring us because there are already many of us here,’” he said. “They didn’t reach an understanding and so they shot them.”

‘Shoot them’

Duterte warned communist-linked farmers against occupying idle lands, saying he has ordered the police to shoot those who would resist arrest.

“They might say, ‘That’s a flat land. It’s large. Let’s occupy it.’ Then they’ll tell us to fire at it with a cannon. Don’t steal and don’t threaten people. Do not intimidate... No. I will never allow that,” he said.

“My order to the police is, ‘Enter, pick them up. If they resist, force them to come with you to the station. If they resist while armed with a bolo, shoot them or else you will die because when they chop you up, you’re dead,’” he added.

The President said communists do not need to forcibly seize properties because he was willing to give them land.

“To my brothers and sisters who are with the NPA, if you want land distribution, slow down and wait because we will claim even the privately owned lands, but we will do it in accordance with the law,” he said.

“Just give me some time. But I will warn you before I go home. Do not confiscate nor seize or occupy the lands that are already owned. Don’t do that, don’t steal lands that already have tenants,” he added.

Duterte said he was even ready to give communists land from the Ayala family if they wanted, but it was not clear whether he was serious when he made the statement.

“If you want to own land there in Ayala, just say so. I’ll buy land for all of you. Don’t steal... Where? Go to Ayala and choose. We’ll talk to Ayala, I’ll tell him, ‘OK, just give it away.’ We’ll buy it at our pace, just don’t steal,” the President said.

“Where are nice new subdivisions now? The workers here who wreak havoc, I’ll buy you lands in Ayala. It’s very expensive but... maybe for every person, I’ll give you 4x4. I will bury you there. I will turn it into a memorial if you keep doing foolish things,” he said.

Duterte said the forcible occupation of properties and idle lands would make the government appear inutile.

“I wouldn’t have a face to show. I’m not an inutile President who is unable to settle everything. Just wait,” he said.

 ‘Wage your war here’

Duterte also reiterated his challenge for Sison to wage his war in the Philippines. The communist leader has been on self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987.

“He likes to make up stories so much but has no skill to boast of. But then he keeps on espousing revolution while he’s there in the Netherlands, not here,” Duterte, a former student of Sison, said.

“If you are the leader of a cause, go home and go to war here. Why do you keep on sitting with legs wide open scratching your b**** there in Netherlands? Grit and grime are accumulating on your b****. Why don’t you just go home?” he added.

Duterte said state forces could counter the threats posed by Sison’s followers, who have been waging an armed struggle against the government for five decades.

“You would even brag. Me? I have the Air Force. Airplanes? We have plenty. I have the Navy. Do you know how many ships I have? Just choose. Army? My God,  Navy, I have plenty of ships. Police? Just look for addicts and drunkards,” he said, addressing Sison.

Peace negotiations between the government and the communists were cancelled after the President accused the rebels of pushing for a coalition government, a power-sharing setup that he said is prohibited by the Constitution.

Last week, Duterte told Sison to give him reason to resume talks. – With Gilbert Bayoran, Jose Rodel Clapano