Reds call Duterte ‘madman’ for threat to bomb Lumad schools

President Rodrigo Duterte
INQUIRER PHOTO/ JOAN BONDOC

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Tuesday blasted President Rodrigo Duterte and called him a “madman” following his threat to bomb Lumad schools in Mindanao.

“To the Madman Duterte: Nice try. You thought you could still fool the people with your grandstanding and phrasemongering. Having been rebuked by the people’s jeers, you threaten to drop bombs on the Lumad schools. You threaten to kill the children. You are the lowest of the low,” CPP said in a statement.

“You are a madman with bombs. You are a bully. An arrogant street thug intoxicated with power.”

CPP said Duterte “only pick on the weak, the small and the oppressed.”

“You bomb their homes, shell their communities and expect them to bow to your power. You exercise power but only against the powerless,” the party added.

In a press conference after his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Duterte threatened to bomb Lumad schools as they supposedly teach students to “rebel against government.”

“Umalis kayo dyan, sabihin ko sa mga lumad. Bobombahan ko iyan, isali ko iyang mga istruktura. I will use the Philippine Air Force. You are operating illegally and you are teaching the children to rebel against government. Kung may kalokohan kayo, eh di mas lalo na ako,” Duterte said.

About 300 Lumads from different parts of Mindanao joined the Sona rally on Monday to protest the continuing militarization of their schools and communities.

‘Allegiance’

CPP also criticized Duterte for evidently bowing to superpowers China and the United States.

It said Duterte “practically surrendered the country’s rights” to the disputed West Philippine Sea to China with $24-billion Chinese loans.

“Not a whimper from you while China transformed the Spratly Islands into their military fortress,” it said.

The rebels also said Duterte has “zero pride” when it allowed American forces to “direct the operations” in Marawi City.

“You beat your chest and order to bomb Marawi and lick the boots of the US military for providing you the rifles and jetfighters,” the CPP added./rga

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