MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he will order the mass arrest of communists who are temporarily out on bail.
“For those who are out temporarily… any day I will order for their mass arrest,” Duterte said in his speech during the oath taking of newly appointed generals and flag officers in Malacañang.
Earlier, Duterte also warned the members of the Communists Party of the Philippines (CCP) including its legal fronts that they will be arrested, as peace talks between the government and the Reds were canceled.
Duterte also said armed communist rebels are terrorists and criminals.
“If they ambush you, that’s murder, multiple. If they use an explosive, use of explosive is always a murder, then it’s no bail for everybody,” the president said, adding that he “gave too much, too soon” to the communists.
He earlier revealed that he is preparing to sign an executive order (EO) declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorists.
The president added that the law allows the arrests, saying action will be taken once the communists resort to “violent resistance” and if they “place in danger the lives of people and the soldiers and the police.”
“Ngayon, dito sa akin [Here’s mine], I will do it. Why? I will do it simply because it is the law. Kung ayaw ninyo [If you don’t like], well then, we can always prepare for that eventuality. In the meantime, kayo man ‘yung nauna-una diyan [You were the first]. You always insist on the rule of law. We will follow the law. And if you don’t, then the simple thing is to arrest you and place you in prison,” he added.
Meanwhile, Duterte expressed gratitude to the newly-appointed generals and flag officer for their service to the nation, urging them to remain loyal to the country and to the constitution.
“In behalf of the Filipino people, as an elected official, I am extending my warmest congratulations for your rise in your careers to be where you are now,” Duterte said.
“I discourage ‘yang personal loyalties. Nothing about that for me also. Akin lang is alam ninyo ang tama, alam ninyo ang mali [My stand is that you should know the right from the wrong]. So there’s the Constitution to guide you and if at all, it is really the document that binds us all,” he added.