With the peace talks between communist rebels and the government hanging in the balance, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s ouster was “highly probable.”
The CPP, in a statement on Friday, claimed that Duterte would be ousted for his “utter disdain for human rights and rampant fascist abuses.”
“There is [a] high probability that Duterte will not be able to complete his six-year term of office and will be forced out of Malacañang by way of a surge in anti-fascist protest actions or some other means,” the CPP said.
“Duterte has antagonized the broad democratic sectors in words and deeds,” the CPP said. “He has employed the state armed forces and police to unleash widespread violence and repression against the people.”
The CPP also said he was “hated by the Filipino people for pulling down the country’s national dignity to the lowest levels amid the saber-rattling of the world military giants in the country’s maritime territory and claimed areas.”
The communists were referring to China’s militarization of the South China Sea and presence of US troops in the country.
“Amid worsening crisis and fascist oppression, the Filipino people are increasingly determined to push for Duterte’s resignation or removal by any means,” they claimed.
READ: Gov’t won’t force peace talks with Reds
The communists issued the statement after their party’s founder, Jose Maria Sison, said it was “relatively easier and more productive” for the communist to join ouster moves against the President.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque responded by saying that Sison has “spoken like a true terrorist.”
Duterte pooh-poohs communists’ threat
But President Duterte mocked Sison’s threat.
“What forces? Who is willing to join him? [Leila] de Lima? My God!” Duterte told reporters in Panglao, Bohol after he attended the 25th annual convention of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines.
The President went on with his sarcasm by telling Sison to just watch the alleged sex video of De Lima.
“Just watch the X-rated (video). It’s clear,” he said.
“My main task is to seek, find the peace of the country. If they are not willing to talk to me that’s fine. I have no problem. So we continue with the war,” the President added.
“If you want to overthrow my government, fine. If you are willing to talk, come here, if you don’t want, then it’s OK,” he added.
The President wondered why Sison was not taking the opportunity of coming back to the Philippines and talk peace.
“Why is he not taking the chance of coming over? I might give to him the government on a silver platter,” he said.
Duterte had earlier invited Sison to return to the Philippines and guaranteed his safety and security.
He said the latest remarks of Sison would not change the current setup between the government and the rebels since “we are still fighting.”
“It does not really change the equation; we are still fighting with the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.
The government had earlier announced the postponement of the peace talks with the communist rebels after Duterte said he wanted public consultations on the resumption of the negotiations.