‘We’ll pursue Reds to the ends of the world’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday vowed to pursue communist rebels “to the ends of the world” as he chided them anew for staging attacks that harm innocent 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. 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 President also scored the rebels for pushing for the peace talks while staging violent activities.  

“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?” Duterte 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 leftist rebels last July after the Communist Party of the Philippines instructed its fighters to resist martial law in Mindanao – which he declared last May 23 after jihadists laid siege to Marawi City – by launching offensives against government forces. 

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

Officials said Duterte has not closed his 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,” he 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… 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. If it is not, then we will fight. But I would not subserve any other interest except (that of) the Filipino people.”