Joma, Reds: We won’t die for Duterte

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the progressive bloc in the administration-dominated House of Representatives yesterday reiterated their collaborative support for President Duterte, but clarified they are not ready to die for him.

“We are not ready to die for the President. Handa kaming ialay ang buhay namin para sa mga inaapi at pinagsasamantalahang Pilipino (We are ready to offer our lives for the oppressed and abused Filipinos),” Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, who heads the House committee on public information, told reporters.

Jose Ma. Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman, said although the Left may not die for Duterte, it could forge an agreement with his administration so long as it is sincere in pushing reforms.

“An alliance with the Left is possible to combat opportunists, rightist bloc and yellow group who want to oust him. But Duterte has to lay the foundation of such alliance with the Left, forwarding foremost the interest and welfare of the toiling masses,” Sison said.

He clarified that the Left could not fight alongside the government when the military itself violates an outstanding ceasefire and with more than 400 political prisoners remaining in jail.

“How can the Left fight against those who want to oust him when his military men are rabid in their operations in communities despite declaring ceasefire? How can the Left fight for him when there are still 401 political prisoners languishing in jail?” Sison added.

Tinio, who belongs to the super majority coalition in the chamber, told the Filipino community in Cambodia Tuesday night that communists are not willing to die for Duterte but would kill those who will remove him from office, referring to the President’s statements that the “yellows” or those from the Liberal Party of former president Benigno Aquino III wanted him out of the presidency because they “cannot accept defeat.”

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, chairman of the House committee on environment and natural resources, said the pronouncements might be another case of making an emphatic point.

“Probably it’s part of another hyperbole of the President,” Zarate added, pointing out that the Chief Executive knows fully well where the support of the left-leaning blocs are anchored in his administration.

But Duterte, who is on state visits in Cambodia and Singapore, did not specify which group wants him booted out of office.

“The Left – they would kill you if you remove me because I am also from the Left. I came from a poor family and the first Left-leaning President. But I am not under or I am not a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” the President said.

The CPP will celebrate its 48th founding anniversary on Dec. 26 with a national assembly inside the guerrilla zone in Davao City, Duterte’s bailiwick. – With Art Dumlao, Jose Rodel Clapano, Ramon Efren Lazaro