Duterte to AFP, PNP: Learn art of assassination

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is urging the police and military to form their own hit squads to go after communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, and to “learn the art of assassination.”

Duterte over the weekend expressed displeasure that the Communist Party of the Philippines, its political arm the National Democratic Front and the NPA have stepped up attacks against government forces.

“I’m addressing myself to the police and the military. I’ve been telling you: sparrow, sparrow, sparrow. Kasi kukunin talaga nila ‘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,” said Duterte, apparently referring to the NPA urban hit squad Sparrow Unit, whose members seize the firearms of law enforcers.

Almost done with half of his six-year term, Duterte lamented that the communists remain at large to overthrow the government. He has also yet to lick the Abu Sayyaf problem.

“The NPAs are there trying to overthrow government. Meron akong mga citizen na Abu Sayyaf na walang ginawa kung hindi mag-decapitate ng tao pati sundalo,” he said, bewailing the bandit group’s penchant for beheading captives.

Duterte said he had ordered the procurement of more equipment and arms for the military in a bid to address the insurgency.

“That’s the reason why the Army and they are also the targets now of sparrow. I’ve been telling them. I’ll give you the arms. Alam mo bakit? Bakit lahat sila binilhan ko? It cost us a billion,” he said, emphasizing money is no object in the fight against insurgency.

“You know, but in southern part of our country, it’s the base of Abu Sayyaf. They cannot be satisfied by whatever deal that you can offer them. No, because they belong to the ISIS. They take their cue from the Middle East,” Duterte said.