Don't let yourself be captured alive, Duterte tells Sulu troops

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte would rather bite the bullet literally than be captured by armed groups and he wants soldiers to do the same. 

Duterte said he would choose to take his own life than be kidnapped and maltreated by terrorists or rebels. 

"Huwag kayo magpababoy. Ang sundalo ko, matapang at handang mamatay. Kaya ‘pag wala ka ng bala, 'yung last magazine, kainin mo na lang," the president told soldiers in Sulu on Saturday. 

(Do not allow yourself to be disrespected. My soldiers are brave and ready to die. If you no longer have bullets, eat the last magazine)

"Kasi kung ako, for one reason or another, mag-aberya 'yung eroplano, mag-landing ako, hindi nila ako mahuling buhay. Pasabugin ko itong mukha ko sa harap nila. Ito, ah.  T*** i** mo. Totoo," the president, who sometimes speaks in hyperbole, said. 

(If, for one reason or another, my plane experiences difficulties and it lands, they won't capture me alive. I will just shoot my face in front of them. Son of a b****. I mean it)

Duterte said soldiers who surrendered and were captured alive were brought to enemy camps, treated like dogs and beheaded in front of the camera by their captors.

"So they won't capture me (alive). I'd rather eat my  9-millimeter," he said. 

The president said he provided soldiers sidearms to defend themselves from armed groups. He reminded them to take care of themselves during clashes. 

"Do not play extraordinary hero. Seek cover... You can only see that in the movies. Here, every step of the way, ensure...your safety first," Duterte said. 

"I pray..for your safety. I ask God that you be given protection so you can come home to your families every now and then," he added. 

'Destroy and kill'

Duterte also directed the military to "destroy and kill" extremists who are subscribing to a "bankrupt" ideology. 

"I assure you that you have my full support as you conduct intensive military operations against these terrorist groups, particularly those who subscribe to the 
extremist ideologies of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda," the president said.  

"That’s just a bankrupt — useless ideology. It only wants to kill and destroy. Destroy and kill. So my order to you: Destroy and kill also."

Duterte is confident that the government forces would be able to win their fight against security threats. 

"Please know that I am very humbled by your dedication, inspired by your resilience and thankful for the continued support. With your bravery, selflessness and patriotism, I am optimistic that we will one day defeat all threats to our democratic institutions and secure a brighter future for our beloved country," he added. 

The president said he wanted all wounded soldiers to receive medals, noting that they are enduring pain to fulfill their mandate. 

"I created the Order of Lapu-Lapu. If stepping on a nail can hurt, how much more for a gunshot wound? So there should be an award," he said. — Alexis Romero