Duterte orders tighter monitoring of explosives sales

December 22 ------ President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to closely monitor the purchase of explosives as part of a bid to counter attacks from the left-leaning New People’s Army (NPA). In his weekly address, Duterte claimed that the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), sources materials for its explosives from mining sites.

“Karamihan diyan galing sa mina so that may double check tayo ngayon. It must be cleared by the police and supervised strictly,” he said. “Go to the commanding officer of the military there and let him know that you have bought these explosives para para ‘pag ginamit na ninyo ‘yan, mabantayan,” he added. Duterte also accused communists of violating the Geneva Convention by using improvised explosive devices against government forces.

“When the communists use it, they justify it,” he said. “Gusto namin maglagay ng landmine din. Ang problema, bawal. Government cannot violate the law. Kayo wala naman kayong pakialam sa laws.” Duterte earlier said there would be no more ceasefire with the NPA for the remainder of his term. The CPP likewise said there would be no traditional truce with the government for the holidays this year.

Source: gmanetwork.com