Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. (File photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The government will not force the communist rebels if they no longer want the resumption of peace talks, Malacañang said on Friday, a day after Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Ma. Sison said the rebels would rather join in efforts to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
“He (Duterte) already spoke in Bohol: [Kung] ayaw nila, e di wag,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message.
In a statement on Thursday, Sison said the NDFP “can no longer negotiate” with a government headed by Duterte.
Sison said it was “relatively easier and more productive” for the communist to join ouster moves against the President.
Roque responded, saying the exiled leader has “spoken like a true terrorist.”
Duterte told reporters in Panglao, Bohol that the government was ready to continue the war against the New People’s Army (NPA) following Sison’s statements.
He also belittled Sison’s threat of communists likely joining ouster moves against him.
“What forces? Who is willing to join him?,” Duterte said.
Sison, however, clarified on Friday that his remarks was made in his capacity as a chief political consultant of the the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the CPP’s political arm.
READ: Peace talks with gov’t not yet terminated — Sison
He said it was only the NDF who could “suspend, cancel or terminate the peace talks.” /kga