Alejano: Duterte supported NPA while still Davao mayor

Rep. Gary Alejano. AP FILE PHOTO

Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano on Sunday turned the tables on President Rodrigo Duterte after the latter accused the opposition and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) of conniving to oust him from power.

READ: Duterte says ‘yellows,’ Trillanes, CPP out to oust him

Alejano said it was actually the President who admitted supporting the New People’s Army (NPA) when he was still Davao City mayor.

“Sino ba talaga ang nag-alaga, nag-kupkop at nakipagkutsaba sa mga komunista? Hindi ba si Presidente Duterte? Siya. Ano ginawa nya sa Davao? Not only that he is sympathetic but he supported, actually, the New People’s Army. Admitted naman n’ya ‘yun in public e. Siya dapat ang tinatanong n’yan.” Alejano said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer.

The mutineer-turned-lawmaker noted that opposition members were talking but insisted that they subscribe to the rule of law.

“May pag-uusap kami kasama ang Liberal Party dahil opposition kami. ‘Di naman namin sinabi na bumaba ka na dyan, patalsikin ka namin. Sinasabi namin we subscribe to the legal process, hindi illegal ‘yan,” he said.

Referring to the Leftists, Alejano said, “Hindi nga kami tugma sa mga hanay ng mga makakaliwa dahil nga taliwas sa aming katayuan pero sa basic issues, sa karapatang pantao, ‘yung pagbigay ng mga benepisyo sa ating kababayan minsan nagsasama sama tayo jan… because it’s legitimate grievances.”

“Tatlo yan, bantayan ninyo. ‘Yang Yellow, Liberal (Party), Trillanes, pati ang politburo (communists),” he said.

Citing “intelligence,” Duterte said he would divulge his proof in time or when the Supreme Court told him to do so.

“We will show it to you. Kaya kayong mga sundalo before you jump into conclusion, tanungin n’yo intelligence n’yo and they will show you. It’s not for public consumption now, pero pagdating ng panahon and I’m compelled by the Supreme Court and say “state your case”, ipalabas ko lahat,” he added. /cbb