Sison refuses to have one-on-one talk with Duterte in PH

In a statement on Thursday, December 26, Sison thanked Duterte for his invitation, however, it is “premature” for him to fly back to the Philippines before the approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER). (File Photo: Jose Maria Sison/Facebook)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Thursday turned down President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge for him to come home to the Philippines for a one-on-one talk.

In a statement on Thursday, December 26, Sison thanked Duterte for his invitation, however, it is “premature” for him to fly back to the Philippines before the approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).

He said that the negotiating panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), CPP’s political wing, should “work this out first in a neutral venue abroad for the benefit of the people, especially with regard to genuine land reform and national industrialization.”

Nonetheless, Sison expressed willingness to have a one-on-one meeting with Duterte – just not in the Philippines.

“I am willing to meet with President Duterte in a country near the Philippines after the formal resumption of the peace negotiations and the mutual approval of the Interim Peace Agreement, provided the Royal Norwegian Government as third party facilitator helps in securing the necessary political, legal and security guarantees from a number of pertinent countries,” he stressed.

“I would be putting the prospect of peace negotiations at risk if I make myself available for any kind of attack by officers of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) who think that they can end the revolutionary movement by getting rid of me and who are increasingly disobedient to President Duterte and continue to make offensive movements despite the current ceasefire ordered by the CPP to the NPA (New People’s Army),” he continued.

On the CPP’s 51st founding anniversary, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Chief Executive dared Sison to come home and have a meeting only with him, no panel from the government and communist side involved.

The Palace also assured Sison that there will no enforcement of any warrant against the CPP founder.

“Just come to the Philippines and talk with him,” Panelo said.