PRESIDENT Duterte on Monday said he will release older and ailing political prisoners in the country before Christmas Day.
He actually said he would only order the release of 130 political prisoners if the government peace panel and the National Democratic Front (NDF) sign a bilateral ceasefire deal during talks in Oslo, Norway, this week.
He made this announcement before lighting a 12-foot Christmas tree made of 360 pieces of Las Piñas Christmas parols at the Malacañang Palace buildings in a ceremony attended by 2016 Miss International titlist Kylie Versoza.
“There is no point of detaining a person who is old and sick. I find it a very awkward feeling. I’m uncomfortable. So all the elderly, ailing, you can go,” the 71-year-old Filipino leader said in his speech.
Duterte said detainees qualified for his pardon are those 70 years old and older and suffering from incurable diseases, like kidney failure and cancer.
“If they are ready to be released and will be accepted by their families, I will release them before Christmas time,” he said.
The President failed to give the numbers of elderly and ailing political prisoners but reports said there are 25 elderly political detainees and 140 who are sickly.
Meanwhile, President Duterte said he will also agree to release over 130 political prisoners if the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) can show a peace agreement signed between the Philippine government and the CPP-NDF.
“They’re asking for the release of 130 political prisoners. I said I cannot give you that. I’m sorry, but I have already conceded so much on the side of the government,” the President said, referring to the detained CPP-NDF leaders who were allowed to attend the peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
“But if you can show me a document signed by the Republic of the Philippines representatives and the communist, then I will release the 130 plus more,” he said.
“I know the Left has a vision for our country. I used to cross the ideological border because I was a student once. I saw the iniquity, the sense of uselessness of the Filipinos, and I saw also the other side how should it be in the government,” Duterte said.
As President, Duterte said he pleads for unity of the country free from communal wars and for a generation of Filipinos who are able, competent, healthy and good.
“I plead for peace so that our citizens can move around anytime of the day or night,” the President said, reiterating his campaign promise to eradicate illegal drugs, corruption and criminality in the country.
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore, any good that I can do to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again,” Duterte said, quoting from an anonymous writer.
The President also promised to work hard to achieve peace with the Moro rebels, particularly with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
“The MILF has shown its sincerity to talk to us about peace. Nur Misuari of the MNLF chooses to be different, but he has said he will work with us, in government, to find peace,” Duterte said.
“So I’m happy, except for the extremists. Actually, that would really be a danger to our country in the days to come,” he added.