Reds drop bid for peace talks, seek Duterte’s ouster
THE communist group’s political wing, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), will no longer negotiate with President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison announced Thursday, June 28.
Sison, who also serves as the chief political consultant of the NDF, said they would instead participate in other groups that seek Duterte’s ouster.
“It is relatively easier and more productive for the NDFP to participate in the Oust-Duterte movement and to prepare for peace negotiations with the prospective administration that replaces the Duterte regime,” the communist leader said.
Sison made the announcement after Duterte put off the revival of the peace talks and sought to personally review the existing peace agreements signed between the CPP and the previous governments.
“Based on the implications drawn from the current impasse, the NDFP (NDF of the Philippines) can no longer negotiate with the GRP (Government of the Philippines) that is headed by Duterte,” Sison said in a statement.
“So as long as he heads the GRP, the Filipino people especially the oppressed and exploited, cannot expect any benefit from negotiating with the Duterte regime,” he added.
On June 14, Duterte admitted that he still needed “more time” before allowing the government to resume the talks with the communists.
Sought for reaction on Sison’s remark, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the CPP founder had spoken “like a true terrorist.”
In a chance interview in Bohol, Duterte said he has no plans of giving in to the demands of the communist guerillas for the resumption of talks.
“Mas mabuti. Ano ito, negosyo? Look, I’m here to... Trabahante po ako ng gobyerno and my main task is to seek, to find the peace in the country. If they’re not willing to talk to me, that’s fine. Wala po akong problema,” the President sai d.
(It’s better. What did they think this is, business? Look, I’m here to... I’m a government worker, and my main task is to seek, to find the peace in the country. If they’re not willing to talk to me, that’s fine. I don’t have problem with that.)
“So sige. Basta alam ng Pilipino na ganon ang nangyari. If you want to overthrow [my] government, fine. Kung gusto mong makipagusap, pumunta ka dito, Kung ayaw mo, ade huwag,” he added.
(So let it be. The Filipinos knows the truth. If you want to overthrow [my] government, fine. If you want to talk to me, go here. If you do not want to proceed with the talks, don’t do it.) (Sunnex)