Useless war! DUTERTE TO DECLARE CEASEFIRE ON DAY ONE

By Manny Piñol

Presidential frontrunner Rody Duterte today picked up another soldier held captive by the New People’s Army In North Cotabato and vowed to declare an immediate ceasefire to stop the armed skirmishes between government and the Communist movement.

Duterte flew by helicopter from Davao City to the remote village of Batang in Tulunan, North Cotabato to receive from the NPA Pfc. Edgardo Hilaga who was abducted by the NPA during a road block April 21 in Makilala, North Cotabato.

Hilaga was the 6th government men released by the NPA in a span of two dys.

Yesterday, in the hinterlands of Paquibato District, Davao City, Duterte also secured the release of five Davao City policemen led by a Chief Inspector who were arrested by the NPAs in the village of Mapula located near the trio-boundaries of Davao City, Bukidnon and Davao del Norte.

“This is a useless war. We must end this,” Duterte said during his speech prior to the turn-over of the army soldier to him.

“Nganong magpatay man ta?,” he asked and added that if some people would really like to fight they could volunteer to go to the Spratlys, referring to the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea which China is now occupying.

National Democratic Front (NDF) Far South Region spokesman Efren Aksasato, in an interview before the arrival of the Davao City mayor, said the Communist movement looks at the Duterte presidency with optimism.

“While we do not engage in partisan politics, Mayor Duterte’s statements about talking with the movement offers us hope for a peaceful settlement of the conflict,” he said.

The NDF spokesman confirmed that the release of the government men captured by the NPAs could be considered a “gesture of goodwill” by the Communist movement towards the new administration.

After the turn over of the captured army soldiers, Duterte and Aksasato had a brief one-on-one talk in a barangay health centre near the stage where the ceremonies took place.

There are at least 5 more soldiers and policemen who are still being held hostage by the NPAs in Northern Mindanao.

Duterte has been the favourite negotiator of families whose members, mostly soldiers and policemen, are abducted by the NPAs and he has gone to rebel camps all over Mindanao to personally receive the release of the captives.

Even before talks about him running for President surfaced, Duterte was already involved in negotiations which resulted in the release of many captives.

(Photos show Duterte receiving Pfc. Hilaga from the NPAs in Barangay Batang, Tulunan. John Pagaduan)