DAVAO CITY — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. hinted at political betrayal that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel talks with the communist movement last week.
The President feels betrayed thinking the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) were sincere in talking peace with the government, Roque told Davao reporters during a press briefing at the Presidential Guesthouse in Panacan, Davao City Monday when asked on the cancellation of the talks between the government and CPP-NPA-NDF.
Roque recalled Duterte’s close relations with members of the communist movement and the legal fronts back when he was mayor of the city.
“Akala niya dahil malapit na malapit ang relasyon niya sa kaliwa at talagang makikipagusap ng tapat (He thought that he has close relations with the left and would really be sincere in the talks),” Roque said.
From the start of Duterte’s presidency, Roque said the President did not consider the CPP-NPA-NDF and leftist as enemies.
Roque stressed that the President even tried to address pro-poor issues like the universal healthcare, free tuition, and making oligarchs pay taxes such as the cases of Philippine Airlines and Mighty Corporation.
“Ano pa gusto nila kay Presidente (What more do they want)?” Roque quipped, emphasizing the President’s aim to end the decades-old rebellion.
“Napakatagal na nitong labanan, nasa Guinness Book of World Records na ito. Ano pa gusto nila? Kailangan umusad na. Move on (This has been a long battle, it is already in the Guinness Book of World Records. What more do they want? They should move on),” he said.
Despite the formal cancellation of the talks with the issuance of Proclamation No. 360 last week, Roque clarified that there was official proclamation declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as terrorists.
Roque, however, said the declaration may come soon. (PNA)