The tough-talking mayor Davao City and soon-to-be President of the Philippines, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte showcases how “fair treatment” of “prisoners of war,” as he commends the gestures of the New People’s Army (NPA). Mayor Duterte admitted calling out “Mabuhay ang NPA” during the release of two government soldiers captured by the NPA.
Mayor Duterte explained that his commendation of the communist rebel movement was in recognition of its “fair treatment” of Prisoners of War.
The communist New People’s Arma (NPA) earlier seized Pfc. Niño Alavaro and Pfc. Marjon Añover at a guerrilla checkpoint in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, on Sept. 30 and held them for investigation for “crimes against humanity” and “counter-revolutionary activities,” but they were later released to their families.
The NPA surrendered its captives to Duterte which made headlines in Mindanao. The controversial mayor of the country’s most peaceful city, Davao City, believed that the NPA was “religiously following” international law when it came to handling captured policemen and soldiers.
Mayor Duterte even joked that the communists should watch out for the upcoming 2016 national elections. The mayor was quoted as saying “I salute you because you handed over the captives,” Duterte said and told the rebels “Bantay lang kayo sa (keep watch during the) election.”
According to Mayor Duterte the release of the government operatives from being captured by the NPA was due to the efforts made on his talks with the National Democratic Front as he noted further that the government should not deal with the NPA but should negotiate with the NDF.