Sara Duterte offers jobs to NPA rebels

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has reiterated her offer of jobs to New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the city and its hinterlands who will return to the fold of the law.

Carpio said rebel-returnees would be given jobs at city hall with salaries and other benefits that regular city government employees get.

“There is no need for more talk, signatures or pictures…If you are interested, it should be all of you and not just one. You know where to find me. My cell phone is open 24/7,” she said in a statement issued yesterday.

Carpio said localized peace talks would depend on the outcome of the negotiations in the Netherlands. 

”The city government...remains agressive in the pursuit of lasting peace,” she said.

Carpio said she supports her father President Duterte’s call for the rebels to agree to a bilateral ceasefire and stop their attacks as a precondition to the resumption of peace talks.