Talk about Aquino arrest not good for unity of nation–Palace

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER PHOTO

Malacañang has said it is premature to speculate on whether Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will listen to Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison’s request to have outgoing President Benigno Aquino III arrested.

“Baka naman po mas mainam na iyang mga prospective na scenario na iyan ay hintayin na lang natin na maganap sa halip na tayo ngayon ay mag-e-engage sa espekulasyon dahil baka hindi ‘yan masyadong nakakatulong sa paglikha ng isang kaaya-ayang sitwasyon na kung saan ay pwedeng magkaisa tayo at tumugon tayo doon sa lumalawak na panawagan for unity and healing in the nation,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a Palace briefing on Thursday.

He said arrests, for example, could not be made until after June 30 when Aquino’s term officially ends.

Sison, who was a former professor of Duterte, on Facebook urged the presumptive president to have Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad arrested in connection with the anomalous and now defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Duterte earlier promised to visit Sison in the Netherlands where the latter is seeking political asylum.

Conflict is one of the issues that Duterte has promised to resolve by seeking dialogue with the CPP and other rebel groups.

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