By Pearl Gumapos
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (March 21) urged rebels to surrender to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), adding that the government will provide them homes.
“Kung naririnig niyo ako ngayon, pumunta na kayo sa gobyerno, sa pulis o sa military operating in your areas. Mag-surrender na kayo. Sabi ko sa mga komunista, lumabas na kayo. Kung may panahon pa, kasali kayo sa land reform. Ito ay may sariling bahay at sariling lupa,” Duterte said during his address to the nation.
“Huwag kayong sumali diyan sa mga rebelde na kasabwat ang mga miyembro ng political parties sa kabila. Mag-surrender na kayo kasi iyang ELCAC, tutulungan kayong mga rebelde,” he said.
Duterte also added that while he will not mention names, there is a political party playing into the hands of the communist rebels.
“At this time, I’m not ready to mention the names, but mayroon tayong partido headed by someone running for the presidency and yet they are also playing into the hands of communist mismo,” he said.
President Duterte then expressed hope that the next administration will continue with NTF-ELCAC.
Watch the full address here: