Duterte threatens to ‘flatten’ NPA mountain lairs
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte may be ready to resume talks with communists, but he is also prepared to “flatten mountains” to assert to the rebels that they cannot claim any part of Philippine territory to be theirs.
Speaking at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) convention in Pasay City Thursday night, the President said while the government and communists are now holding backchannel talks in preparation for formal negotiations, there are some things that he cannot give up.
He would insist on a ceasefire agreement with clear parameters and would not recognize rebels’ claim that policemen or soldiers cannot enter areas they consider as their territories, he said.
“The Republic of the Philippines owns every inch of this island of this Republic as delineated in the Constitution. Nobody but nobody claims any part of it except the Republic of the Philippines. Pag wala ‘yan, giyera na lang tayo (Without this, let’s just go to war).”
“We have been at war for 50 years. You want another 50 years? Fine,” he said.
- Latest
- Trending
