A P50-billion fund for the education of the children of soldiers will be set up before his six-year term ends, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday as he also offered military jobs for New People’s Army rebels who would want to join the government.
“I’ve already seen P20 billion, I’ll just add them before the end of term. If I can just raise another P30 billion, then you’ll be okay. That 50 billion we can take care of the education of all of your children,” Duterte told the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade at Tacurong City.
“You won’t have any problem with the education of your kids. I promise you,” he added.
Duterte, who earlier assured the troops that he will look after their needs and those of their children, did not however, specify where he would get such amounts.
In the same speech, Duterte offered military jobs for New People’s Army rebels who would want to join the government, but only if the communist movement signs a unilateral ceasefire for talks to continue.
“Kayong mga NPA, mga able-bodied, mga sundalo sa NPA, kung gusto niyo sumali sa gobyerno ko, I will take you in as soldiers of the country. Ie-enlist ko kayo as soldiers. Anytime, bumaba lang kayo,” Duterte said. “I am only willing to talk … to the NPA, just give me the document that’s signed by the Norway—Norwegian government also because they offered the good offices for us to talk to them. Give me that document then we’ll talk,” he said.
The president told soldiers not to feel bad about his decision to extend an olive branch to rebels.
“In the beginning I know many of you (soldiers) were sad, maybe did not like it. But I am a president for peace. I am not a wartime president,” he said.
Duterte said he was also planning to extend the offer to members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after several dialogues with its founder Nur Misuari.
“We have been fighting for 50 years… mga Christians at Moro, kailangan magusap tayo,” (We need to talk) Duterte said.
