PRRD nixes coalition gov’t with communists

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Malacañan Palace on November 28, 2019. VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday rejected the idea of forming a coalition government with the communist movement, despite his plan to revive the moribund peace talks with its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

In a speech delivered in Manila, the President assured his countrymen that he would never allow the creation of a coalition government under his watch.

“Later on, I realized that nothing else would be good except to have law and order, and one government,” Duterte said.

“Alam mo, they promised anything and everything. Sumasali sa gobyerno and then sa bidding papers (They joined the government and even showed interest) towards a coalition government. Hindi mangyari ‘yan sa buhay ng ating bayan. Hindi talaga ako papayag kailanman (That will never happen in our country. I will never allow that),” he added.

Duterte has been friendly with the leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and even appointed some of those recommended by the group to key government posts.

However, his relations with the communist party turned sour, following the series of attacks waged by the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) against government troops and civilians.

The President was forced to sign Proclamation 360 on Nov.

23, 2017, formally ending the peace negotiations between the national government peace panel and the NDF consultants.

He also signed on Dec. 5, 2017 Proclamation 375, tagging the CPP-NPA as a terror organization because of their supposed actions “against the Filipino people, against humanity, and the law of nations.”

Apart from the Philippines, the CPP-NPA is also branded as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Duterte, in his latest speech, warned Filipinos not to be swayed by the communist ideology, which he believes is no longer relevant in modern times.

“You know, this is our only country. At hanggang ngayon (And until now), there are people who are terrorists trying to destroy our way of life. Kayong mga bata, huwag kayong magpadala diyan sa mga ideolohiya na barat (To the youth, do not be swayed by their ideology),” he said.

Duterte’s latest statement came three days after he directed the military to crush the country’s enemies, including the communist guerillas.

On Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President is sincere to resume the talks with the communists but has to make a move to counter their terror activities.

Duterte also made the remarks after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. disclosed on Tuesday that the President was included on the supposed hit list of the communist movement.

On Wednesday, Presidential Security Group commander, Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra, guaranteed that the Chief Executive is safe and secure, despite inclusion on the so-called hit list.

Esperon advised the public on Tuesday to take extra caution against the communist insurgents’ supposed plot to carry out “assassinations and terrorist activities” in public places, especially in urban areas, during the Yuletide season.