Duterte urges NPA anew to return to the fold of law

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has urged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to return to the fold of the law as he assured them that the government is ready to provide them with shelter, jobs and livelihood.

Speaking before the recipients of certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) on Thursday, Duterte said the NPA’s fighting capability has diminished through the years.

“To the communists, come down here. I’ll give you a small condo. The same condo that I allot for the military and police,” he said, adding, “But it’s a house that you can live in. It’s habitable, so to speak.”

Duterte said he knew it won’t be easy for the communists to surrender but he believes they will have a better reason now to end the armed struggle.

Once they lay down their weapons, the President said he is willing to provide them with houses, jobs and skills training from the TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority).

Duterte said the administration would continue giving land to the landless, noting he has instructed government agencies to distribute all surveyed state lands to the people.

The President led the distribution of 12,548 CLOAs in Soccsksargen, which is expected to benefit 13,585 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The region-wide CLOA distribution is in line with the administration’s directive to fast-track the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)’s implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms or CARPER.

The CLOAs distributed on Thursday covered lands located in the provinces Cotabato with 9,419 hectares; Sarangani, 1,393 hectares; South Cotabato, 3,142 hectares and Sultan Kudarat, 3,364 hectares.

Around 2,000 beneficiaries attended the event along with 500 other attendees from local government units, DAR and other government agencies.

The CLOA distribution was significant as it supports the President’s 10-point socio-economic agenda and provides a sense of security to Soccsksargen agrarian reform beneficiaries.

With more lands being handed over to agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region, the government expects an increase in agricultural productivity and investments that in turn will improve the overall economic status of the region.

After the issuance of CLOAs, the DAR, in partnership with other government agencies, will continue assisting farmers in Soccsksargen to uplift their lives through the provision of livelihood programs, scholarships, crop insurance and credit assistance.