PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to destroy and kill extremists as he slammed anew the ideology of terrorists.
Duterte issued the directive after he met wounded soldiers on Saturday in Jolo, Sulu.
“I assure you that you have my full support as you conduct intensive military operations against these terrorist groups, particularly those who subscribe to the extremist ideologies of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda,” he said.
“That is just a bankrupt, inutile ideology. All they know is to kill and destroy. Destroy and kill. So, my order to you: destroy and kill also. Why must we be on the losing end?” Duterte stressed.
The President then pinned medals on 21 wounded soldiers who clashed recently with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul town.
Awarded were Sergeants Wilmar Salde, Jonathan Mamalompong, Alejandro Bautista, Agripino Pagauitan, Randy Menor; Corporals Jeffrey Zippagan, Jeramil Canipas, Edward Tamangen Jr., Arnel Walay, Raffy Jay Hernal, Joel Wawoc; Privates First Class Delim Cawas, Arnold Daria, Raib Pannal; Privates Leo Molina, Ronnie Galinggan, Jonel Ramiscal, Jackson Ramos, Ruben Ruping Jr., Jobert Galas and Jake Venezuela.
Duterte also told the soldiers not to surrender because they will be “trashed” by the terrorists.
“Do not allow them to take your guns while you are alive. If you are cornered and you do not have ammunition anymore, do not get caught. They will take you to their camp, they will treat you like a dog and they will face you to the camera and slit your throat,” Duterte said.
“My soldiers are brave and are ready to die. If you do not have any more bullets, the last magazine, you just eat it,” he added.
The President said the government will no longer take communist rebel surrenderees.
“They are all boastful. Even me, they are trying to scare… idiots. This Communist Party of the Philippines chairman Jose Ma. Sison, he said I am comatose. Idiot. You do not have a Navy, you do not have an Army, no helicopter. No [Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit] CAFGU, no Air Force. All they do is ambush,” Duterte said.
“But, next time around, we will raise the bar higher. There will be no more surrenders. Son of a bitch. You will fight until you die. We will not accept surrenders. We are going in circles,” he added.
More troops
On Friday, 240 newly commissioned second lieutenants of the Philippine Army were deployed to fight terrorism and communist insurgents across the country.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said over the weekend the new batch of officers were assigned to various Army field units “to strengthen leadership at the tactical level which is essential in quelling the various threats besetting the country, particularly insurgency and terrorism.”
Army acting commanding general, Maj. Gen. Chad Isleta, led the send-off ceremony for the new Army officers.
“They [new officers] were also taught and equipped with knowledge on the rule of law, human rights and International Humanitarian Law, which are essential in the discharge of their duties and accomplishment of their assigned missions,” Villanueva said.
WITH DEMPSEY REYES AND AL JACINTO