Duterte: Gov't to pursue NPA over baby's death in Bukidnon attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday vowed to pursue communist rebels “to the ends of the world” as he chided them anew for attacks that harm civilians.

 

Duterte, in particular, was ticked off by the ambush in Bukidnon last Thursday that left a police officer and a four-month-old baby dead.

 

"I hope the (Commission on) Human Rights will take the cudgels for them," he said. The commission, which has been accused of protecting criminals by Duterte and his allies, does investigate and condemn attacks on "vulnerable sectors" like women and children. 

 

"As for us, we will pursue them to the ends of the world," the President said in a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 

 

The New People's Army – North Central Mindanao Regional Command has acknowledged the attack, which it said was done by the Mt. Kitanglad Sub-regional Command.

 

It said that according to initial reports from its people on the ground, the chief of police of the Bumbaran police station in Lanao del Sur and four of his subordinates were wounded in the attack and stripped of their weapons.

 

As of Friday, the NPA was "awaiting the comprehensive report from the field unit responsible for launching the said action."

 

The NPA statement did not mention the four-month-old baby who was killed when the rebels reportedly shot at a Toyota Fortuner trailing the Bumbaran police vehicle.

 

Two of the six other passengers of the sport utility vehicle were hit in the chest and arm, respectively. One of the victims said the rebels fired at them when the police car overtook their vehicle.

 

"They thought we were with the police," she said.

 

READ: Cop, baby killed in Bukidnon ambush

 

The President also scored the rebels for pushing for the resumption of peace talks while staging violent attacks.

 

"If they see that everything we are doing is wrong as they are trying to proclaim on the streets, then why the heck deal with us?" the President said.

 

"So you are claiming that we in the government are bad. You said a lot of things. And yet you burn tractors all because of extortion," he added.

 

Duterte scrapped the peace talks with the communist rebels last July after the Communist Party of the Philippines instructed its fighters to resist martial law in Mindanao by launching offensives against government forces.

 

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao after jihadists laid siege to Marawi City last May 23.

 

The president declared the predominantly Muslim city liberated from terrorism last month but has not lifted military rule because of the presence of terrorists in other provinces.

 

Officials said Duterte has not closed the doors to resuming talks with the communists but demanded that the rebels prove their sincerity in the pursuit of peace.

Duterte said the rebels’ atrocities prove that they are no longer adhering to an ideology.

 

“If you are guilty of a crime, that’s no longer rebellion to me. There is no more ideology so I do not recognize the crime of rebellion,” the Philippine leader said.

 

“If you’re just a member, you can post bail. And when you want, you simply go back to the mountains and fight (with) the soldiers,” he added.

 

Duterte said he has promised something to the communists but stressed that he is “not bound by any commitment” with them.  

 

"I will do what is to the best interest of the Filipino people and my country…If you think that we do not serve your ear because all of us in government are corrupt and killers, then do not talk to us. Period. We can end the talks right here. I really do not care," Duterte said.

 

"There’s always a time for everything… So there’s always a time to talk about peace if it’s needed. Then if it is not, then we will fight. But I would not serve any other interest except the Filipino people."