Latest peace talks flip-flops: Duterte says no more negotiations with Reds

MANILA, Philippines – In his latest series of flip-flops about the peace talks, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he would never talk to the communists, dousing hopes the stalled negotiations between the government and the rebels would resume.

Duterte issued the statement in his visit to Sulu a day after twin explosions hit a Roman Catholic church in Jolo town.

“Also with the NPA. I will never talk to you. I can’t do anything. You do something good to them you follow their whims, that’s it. You practically begged… Comrade, we are just fooling each other,” he said.

(Ganun rin sa NPA. Hindi na ako makipag-usap sa inyo. Eh walang magawa eh. Magpakabuti ka, pasunud-sunuran ka lang, istorya ganun. You practically begged na… ’Adre mag-istorya lang tayo. Wala tayong mag…)

The President has expressed exasperation on the futility of pursuing talks with the rebels who continue to ambush government troops.

“In return you give this to me: Coffins and dead bodies with amputated legs. Son of a bitch. Never mind if i go to jail after this. That’s all mine, all mine,” he added.

(Tapos in return ito ang ibigay ninyo sa akin. Mga kabaong pati iyong mga naputol mga paa. Ay p***** i**. Hindi ako… ‘Di na bale ako makulong pagkatapos nito. Akin lahat ‘yan, akin lahat.)

The peace negotiations between the Philippine government and communist rebels collapsed after Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360 terminating peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). /kga