By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte hinted that since all efforts to make peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) seem to be useless, it would be better to just let its members die a natural death.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SIMEON CELI JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
President Duterte made the statement as he made his last pitch for the administration's senate bets for the 2019 midterm polls on Monday.
In a speech Saturday evening, Duterte said that he will be willing to go to hell with CPP founder Joma Sison.
"We have --- we have many fronts. The Communist Party. Kung Communist Party na ito, I think hintayin na lang natin na matapos ang natural life nila pati akin. Kasi matanda naman si Sison (I think we should just allow its natural life to end, just like mine. Sison is old, too, anyway)," he said.
"I’d be happy to go with him hand in hand to the mouths of hell. Hindi man talaga kami mapunta ng langit. Talagang impyerno ‘yan (We won't be allowed in heaven. Hell is what's waiting for us)," he added.
Duterte has been exchanging tirades with Sison, his former professor, following the President's decision to formally cancel the peace talks with the Reds in November 2017.
While the government opted to pursue a localized peace talks, Duterte said he is not closing his doors to reopening the formal negotiations. However, he mentioned that this may happen after his term.
No to ASG
Meanwhile, Duterte also mentioned that he will not negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf Group because they only want to kill.
"The Abu Sayyaf is one group which cannot be a partner in a negotiation. Hindi talaga ako makipag-usap (I will really not talk to them) because they kill, they destroy, and totally bankrupt morality," he said.
The President then said that since the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) has been ratified by the people of Mindanao, the only threats they are facing now are the remnants of armed fronts in the south.
"Sa pagka ngayon (Now), what are left are the remnants of lawless people, ‘yung (the) violent people, not connected with an ideology," Duterte said.
Duterte also reiterated his desire to talk to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari for a more peaceful Mindanao.
"Nur Misuari, for as long as he has a respect for government, not for anybody... and something can be done, we can finally maybe with blessings of Allah na makuha natin (we can finally achieve peace). Then, you only have to worry about the Abu Sayyaf," he said.
In February this year, Duterte had a brief meeting with Misuari in Malacañang, days after he formed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), a committee dominated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte apologized to Misuari for supposedly being unable to implement "agreements" on federalism.
Duterte had repeatedly expressed wanting to talk to Misuari, noting that his role is important in bringing peace in Mindanao.