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PNP backs PRRD call to end communist insurgency now

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

August 29, 2019, 2:05 pm

<p>PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde. <em>(Contributed photo)</em></p>

PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde. (Contributed photo)

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte's stance to end communist insurgency now.

Suportado natin yung hangarin ng Pangulo natin na matapos itong problema natin (We support our President's desire to end this problem) on insurgency. We will engage them in all their fronts doon sa agriculture, labor even the health, even in the academe which we started already and also even in the religious sector,” PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde told reporters.

“That's the very reason why we have the national task force, this is a whole nation approach, not only a whole government approach but it's a whole nation approach,” he added.

During the 31st anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) main office in Quezon City on Tuesday night, Duterte warned of “a little trouble” in the coming months and urged the military to end communist insurgency, stressing that the government could not afford to pass it on to the next generation of Filipinos.

"So I am telling the military, ‘Can we end it now?’ We cannot afford to pass it on to the next generation. Baka hindi na nila makaya (They might not be able to handle it). It has to be now,” he added.

Duterte also hinted at imposing “very radical change” in the government but did not elaborate what these were.

“Revolution is no longer a vogue. You cannot win a fight for social justice or for a better life in your country if you go to revolution. It won’t work. Hindi nga kayo makahawak ni isang barangay (You can’t even occupy one village). And in the coming days, there will be a very, very radical change in the behavior of government,” Duterte said.

“You know, I am not challenging. You might win or you may lose, but that is something to be seen,” he added.

The President also emphasized that the country would never prosper if social ills such as communist insurgency, criminality, and corruption are not curbed.

On Tuesday, Albayalde met with top officials of the academe who enlightened them on the issue of academic freedom in connection with some militant student groups and organizations' stand against the entry of military and police personnel in school campuses.

Albayalde said that they only have the best intentions for the students and other members of the academe. (PNA)

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