Duterte supports Sara’s peace initiatives with Reds in Davao

From GMA News Online (Nov 1): Duterte supports Sara’s peace initiatives with Reds in Davao

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday expressed support for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's efforts to have localized peace talks with the communists.

But he also reiterated his call to the New People's Army to surrender and promised them a job would be waiting for them.

"Itong kay Inday na local initiative, I am encouraging her. And to the New People's Army, do not take it so badly. Wala namang pilitan ito eh, iyong gusto lang magpahinga," Duterte said in a media interview in Davao City upon his arrival from a two-day official visit to Japan.

"If you're tired of killing a human being, you can always go back mainstream. Alagaan ko kayo," he added.

In May, even after the government peace panel backed out from the fifth round of talks with the National Democratic Front, Sara reiterated her call for the rebels to lay down their arms if they want to talk peace.

"I'll push things that I think can make the city better and one of them is the local peace talk," she said.

Early last month, Duterte said he would leave it up to the next Philippine leader to pursue talks with the communists.

"You can just imagine, we are fighting the New People’s Army. At this stage, I am not ready to talk to them because it is not good for the country. Eh kung para lang sa bayan, okay ‘yan," he said.

"But the way that it is now, ayaw ko. And maybe it would take some time to… maybe another President to do it. Sabi ko, ‘It’s been 50 years.’ Estudyante ako noon, nakikinig naman ako kay Sison," he added, referring to the founding chairperson of the Communists Party of the Philippines Jose Maria Sison.

Duterte nixed peace talks with the communists after the New People’s Army conducted a series of attacks against government troops.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/631525/duterte-supports-sara-s-peace-initiatives-with-reds-in-davao/story/