Palace clarifies Duterte's remark on giving NPAs what they deserve

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte's order for the military to give communist rebels what they deserve does not apply to those who have been arrested, Malacañang clarified Sunday. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the president's directive only covers armed encounters, where the rebels fight back. 

"That's what the president said... during shootouts, not during the capture or arrest (of rebels)," Panelo said in a radio interview.

"He (Duterte) clarified that. He said it won't be applied to those who were arrested," he added. 

Last Friday, Duterte directed the Armed Forces to give members of the New People's Army what they deserve as he blamed the armed wing of the communists for the spate of killings in Negros Oriental.

READ: Negros local execs divided on martial law

He claimed the communists "crossed the red line" when they killed people who do not agree with their beliefs. 

The president has also threatened to do a "drastic move" to quell the violence in Negros Oriental but did not elaborate.

Panelo said the president may use emergency powers including the declaration of martial law in the Visayan province. 

READ: Duterte eyes martial law in Negros 'soon'

"It's part of the options. He can do a lot of things. We are talking about emergency powers here. It depends on the recommendation of people on the ground," Panelo said when asked if declaring martial law in Negros Oriental is on the table. 

Duterte has also offered a P5 million reward for the arrest of the brains behind the killing of four policemen in Ayungon Negros Oriental.

The administration tried to pursue a political settlement with the communists but the president terminated the talks after the rebels launched successive attacks against government forces.