MANILA, Philippines — With three years left in office, President Duterte has directed the police and military anew to prepare a “less bloody” battle to eradicate the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Duterte said the anti-insurgency campaign “will not be bloody” but it will be enough to create “a little trouble” and attract criticism.
“And I am serving notice to everybody that in the coming months, it will be not really bloody but there will be a little trouble for our country,” Duterte said during his speech at the 31st anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) main office in Quezon City late Tuesday.
Duterte said he is more determined to stop communist insurgency, which he said has been dragging the country for over 50 years.
“We have to finish it (communist insurgency), including the campaign against illegal drugs), and this will make us a magnet for all criticisms that are waiting for us to do and commit their own,” Duterte said.
He said he is ready to take more criticisms in addition to flak for his bloody drug war.
“As I said in the coming months, we would be dealing (against insurgency), connected with (this) issue of (land reform)… I do not think we can afford to wage a war another 53 years,” the President said.
“So, I am telling the military, can we end it now. We cannot afford to pass it on to the next generation, maybe they cannot afford to continue the fight. It has to be now,” he said.
The President issued the directive following the arrest of Esterlita Espinosa Suaybaguio, a suspected communist rebel leader.
Authorities confiscated a hand grenade and 9mm pistol from Suaybaguio who is now facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The CPP has demanded the immediate release of Suaybaguio, saying her arrest was a disregard of her rights under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
The CPP claimed the 60-year-old Suaybaguio is among the peace consultants of the NDF in the peace talks with the government. The NDF said Suaybaguio is a consultant for Mindanao concerns.
Duterte had just distributed land titles to farmers, particularly those tilling the lands under the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita.
Duterte vowed full implementation of the CARP with all lands distributed before his term ends.
The President cited the government’s land distribution program as a means for empowering farmers that the country would achieve the sustained growth of its rural economies and eventually the nation’s inclusive progress.
Duterte said it is the ultimate aspiration of every farmer to own the lands that they till.
“Now, with these titles in their hands, I am confident that every beneficiary will be inspired to improve and increase their production through sustainable farming methods. As we work together in improving the quality of life of our farmers, their families and communities, I am counting on all our agrarian reform beneficiaries to support the growth and development of our agricultural sector through responsible farming,” the President said. – With Edith Regalado