Duterte: Crush enemies of the state

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday vowed that there will be no let up on the government’s campaign to purge insurgents in the country and ordered the military to crush enemies of the state, saying it would end the problem of Filipinos.

In his speech during the 84th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the President said that crushing the communist New People’s Army, terror group Abu Sayyaf, and kidnap-for-ransom groups — which he said were destroying the lives of Filipinos – will make the public’s lives easier.

“One enemy that we have are these terrorists including the NPA, kidnap-for-ransom groups in Jolo, and the Abu Sayyaf. My order to the military is that if they fight back, crush them so that Filipinos would no longer have any problem,” said Duterte.

The President issued the remark nearly a week after he hinted at the possible resumption of peace talks with communist rebels, which was halted earlier this year due to continuing NPA attacks on government troops.

He also reiterated his support for the military, saying he would take full responsibility for his orders to go after enemies of the state.

“I assure you of my unqualified support, especially as we continue to fight to defeat terrorism, and violent extremism, and insurgency,” Duterte said.