By Christina Mendez
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte ordered soldiers to be ready to die fighting enemies of the state rather than surrender as he led the turnover of 3,000 .45-caliber pistols to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Malacañang yesterday.
“Ang ayaw ko doon, patayin nila yung tao walang kalaban-laban. Sabi ko hindi puwede ito,”
Duterte said, stressing he does not want soldiers to be killed without a fight, and neither should they surrender but die holding their guns. “Wag kayo mag surrender ng buhay, makuha man yang baril niyo, patay na kayo (Don’t surrender, if they get your gun, you’re dead).”
Each soldier will get a .45-caliber pistol with two extra magazines, the President said.
Duterte lamented how soldiers were sidelined by a past order that banned members of the military from carrying their firearms outside their camps.
“I do not mind losing the gun to the enemy. But do not give it to them alive, especially in Jolo and Zamboanga area. Don’t let the enemies behead you,” he said.
Read the full story at PhilStar