Duterte asks NPA nurses to help in COVID-19 response

President Rodrigo Duterte requested the nurses among communist rebels to help increase the country's health workforce during the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In his taped Talk to the People, the chief executive said the Communist Party of the Philippines should lend a hand to the Philippines' COVID-19 response.

"I am directing CPP, at this time, we have a serious problem, if you cannot cooperate if you cannot help then..  Just stand aside and allow government to operate," said Duterte.

"'Yung mga nurses ng NPA [New People's Army], nasa NPA, marami kayo. Mayroong mga nurses talagang ano e... then, magbaba kayo. I assure you if you give us an advance notice that you are going down to participate in this... people who are offering their services. Tutal magbayad man ako, magtulong kayo. Tapos pagkatapos niyan I will also guarantee that you can go back to your unit and fight another day," he also said.

He even offered to have coffee with the communist rebels.

"Pagkatapos niyan magkape pa tayo sa opisina so that makita ninyo ang Palasyo," he said.—LDF, GMA News