Truce with Reds coming — Duterte

From the People's Journal (Jun 1): Truce with Reds coming — Duterte

Thus bared President elect Rodrigo Duterte even as he said that a ceasefire accord is in the works for members of the New People’s Army in the coming days.

“We hope to arrive at a sort of a truce in the coming days. There’s still a war going on and we cannot expect a prim and proper behavior on either side. I cannot tell the [Philippine] Army to stop kasi wala pa naman ako [sa Malacañang],” Duterte said.

The incoming president made the remarks in the aftermath of a suspected NPA attack in Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental where heavily armed men abducted three people including Governor Generoso Police Chief Insp. Arnold Ongachen, a policewoman, and a female civilian.

Duterte said that he has already spoken with the commander of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), in the area.

“Right after, tinawagan ko, ‘Ano ba ang nakain mo?’ Sabi ko, ‘We’re here. We’re trying to figure out how to stop violence.’ Sabi niya, hindi pa niya alam. Sabi niya, mag-imbestiga pa siya. But he is the commander there,” he said.

Duterte also said that he is eyeing to rescue the individuals who were abducted.
   
“Natural. Yes. I will go there to retrieve (hostages),” he said.

Now that he is the President-elect, will members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) join him?
   
“Sama sila kung gusto nila. Wala naman akong problema,” he said.
   
Duterte has tapped incoming peace adviser Jesus Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to talk to communist leaders exiled in Europe including CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, who will be given a safe conduct pass by the President-elect once he decides to come home.

http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/truce-with-reds-coming-duterte