Duterte faces militant groups outside Batasan

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night faced militant groups that have grown dissatisfied with the way he runs the government.

Speaking to protesters outside the Batasang Pambansa, Duterte called on leftists to a dialogue.

"Meron kayong issue sa akin, naiintindihan ko. Alam ninyo ang posisyon ko rin. Alam ninyo na ginagawa ko ang lahat. Hindi ko sinasabi na tinatalikuran ko 'yan. Eh pati ako ina-ambush pa ninyo. Walang ganunan. 'Pag ginanun ninyo ako, talagang tatalikod ako ba-bye na lang," he said.

"Ano? mag-usap tayo uli? Yung martial law may tatapusin lang ako para sa lahat. Hindi yan forever. Maghintay lang kayo. Iilan na lang ang nandyan ang may kasalanan," he added. 

At the same time, the President also denied allegations that he is a bully.

"Sino ako [para] mag-bully sa inyo? Madali ninyo akong patayin. Sino may granada diyan. Sige paputukin ninyo na dito. Diyan sa gitna para diyan lang banda ang mamatay," he said.

'Keep an open line'

Duterte likewise told the leftists to "keep an open line" and highlighted the need to continue the talks.

"Hindi naman ito patayan. Hindi naman ito away. Usap ang kailangan natin," he said before a crowd of protesters.

The militants are calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines, as well as the lifting of martial law in Mindanao.

The protesters also believe the extension of martial law in Mindanao will not resolve the crisis in the region. Over the weekend, Congress approved Duterte's request to extend the imposition of martial law til year end.

Duterte also told militants to ask the leftist Cabinet members such as Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Liza Maza on what his government has done to address social problems.

"Tanungin ninyo muna kung ano ginagawa ko. Inaapura niyo ako eh," the President said.

He said he had released P1 billion for the poor. He also disclosed plans to disburse the P25-billion settlement offer of cigarette maker Mighty Corporation for its tax liabilities for the underprivileged.

"Hindi ako Presidente para sa mayaman," Duterte said. "Kung ganun ang tritamente ninyo sa akin parang kalaban, eh di huwag na tayo mag-usap. Ayaw ko na humarap sa inyo kung ganun. Kung may hindi kayo gusto sa akin, sabihin nyo sa akin sa Malacanang. P— ina, pinapapasok ko kayo lahat doon."

At a news conference after meeting with the protesters, Duterte also recalled how the New People's Army attacked a convoy of the Presidential Security Group.

He said the group that was ambushed was part of his advance party.

"Itong Left, sila na iyong paliko-liko ang policiies, sila pa iyong may kaluluwa na magsabi na  bully ako. If you don’t want to to talk to me, I don’t want to talk. Ayaw ninyo makipag-usap, mas lalo na ako. If you want to call off the talks, welcome," Duterte said.

"Let the war, which started 50 years ago, continue for another 50," he added.

Still, Duterte vowed to protesters he will deliver on his promises.

"Bigyan niyo ako ng panahon. Five years lang naman ang naiwan ko. Basta sabihin ko sa inyo I will deliver. Naintindihan ninyo, I will deliver," Duterte said. "Ang relasyon ko sa Left okay pa. Huwag ninyong sirain [kasi] magsama tayo. Ang madadamay diyan pag nagkasamaan tayo ng loob. Damay lahat. Damay ako, damay kayo." —with a report from Trisha Macas/RSJ/ALG/NB, GMA News