TFD MUM ON MOVE TO TAP NPA IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE

TASK Force Davao, the controversial composite military unit primarily
tasked to counter terrorism in Davao city, refused to comment on Mayor
Rodrigo Duterte's invitation to the New People's Army (NPA) to help in
"neutralizing" drug lords in the city.

TF Davao executive officer Maj. Orlando Suarez said their mandate is to run
after suspected terrorists and prevent their entry into the city.

"Task Force Davao is not mandated naman to run after illegal drugs eh,"
Suarez said.

But he said if ever there are suspected terrorists who will be bringing in
drugs in the city, and then they will run after them.

"We are still going after these terrorists vigorously and if they happen to
be involved in drugs then maganda yun. We'll be hitting two birds in one
stone," said Suarez.

When asked if they will arrest Duterte if he is indeed providing arms to
NPA rebels to go against suspected druglords in the city, Suarez said: "I
don't think this will be done openly and in front of TF Davao. So I don't
think masasagot natin yan at this time."

Suarez said Duterte's statement last Sunday during his television program
"Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" just showed how serious he is in solving the
drug problem.

"Whatever has to be done, he will do it. Whether he does that tapping the
rebels or not, I really cannot tell," he said.

Duterte last Sunday said he is willing to provide firearms to NPA
liquidation group so they could help eradicate the city of druglords who,
the National Democratic Front claimed, are close friends of the city mayor.

"By all means i-revive nato ang pagpamatay niadtong 70's og 80's. Tutal
kamo bitaw nag-una una aning pagpamatay kaniadto. I am inviting the Sparrow
unit of the NPA anhi mo sa Davao ug tabangan natog ihaw ning mga druglords