Crimes, revolutionaries still shaking up peace, order

From the Sun Star-Davao (Oct 20): Crimes, revolutionaries still shaking up peace, order

MINDANAO is faced with two faces of law and order risks: criminalities and revolutionaries, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

Unlike in other places where they only worry about criminality, Duterte said the situation in Mindanao is "different" since it is "faced with so many fronts," referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and New People’s Army (NPA).

"The ideology-driven, NPA-Communist Party of the Philippines. The dream of the MILF, MNLF for a homeland and for what they believe and the injustice committed to Moro people over centuries," Duterte said.

He said the insurgency in the Philippines is about to enter its 45th year, in which the "yearnings and the aspirations are reflected in the organizations."

"We have to contend with the NPA and the harsh taxation of the NPA in the countryside. It's a reality that has to be talked about openly," he said, adding that "NPA is most active now in Region 11 and there's a lot of taxation going on."

He said there is a profound effect of taxation on the businesses in Mindanao.

"We must admit that there is historical injustice committed on the original inhabitants in Mindanao," he said.

Aside from these, he said the government, military, and police in Mindanao are faced with criminality.

Between the two, criminality is easier to resolve even as it affects everyone.

"Pero yung revolutionary, itatabi ko muna yan. I give it to the (national) government," he said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/10/20/crimes-revolutionaries-still-shaking-peace-order-309623