Rody to Reds: Don’t push me to the wall

MANILA, Philippines – Saying he had given too much in the name of attaining peace, President Duterte yesterday called on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) not to push him to the wall on their demand to release about 400 political prisoners before settling for a peace agreement.

“I cannot risk getting the ire of the military.

The military might not like it. And then if the military would oust me or would kill me, then you have nobody talking to you,” Duterte said in his keynote address during the 38th National Convention of the Philippine Association of Water Districts at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

“400 is 400, it is already as if the talks are over and there is an accepted formula. So what is there to show?” the President said.

Releasing the remaining prisoners would not give the government an upper hand in the peace negotiations, he added.

“I have surrendered, conceded too much for so long. I have released their leaders (such as the) Tiamzon couple, they are ideologues there,” he said.

Duterte ordered the release of CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon last year as a sign of goodwill. But he stood pat on his decision not to release more political prisoners unless both parties have signed the peace agreement.

“Now, they want 400 (political detainees) released. My God, that is already releasing all. It’s like I have declared amnesty, which is usually given after a successful negotiation,” Duterte pointed out.

No ceasefire withdrawal

The President remains unfazed by the CPP-NPA’s move to withdraw the ceasefire by Feb. 10, adding he would not be pressured to do the same.

“You want individual declaration of ceasefire… I am just asking for a document which says that we are now in a ceasefire mode, signed by the government of Oslo,” he said.

“You withdrew from the ceasefire. Am I supposed to do the same? Go ahead, I will decide in the fullness of God’s time.”

Duterte, perceived to be a sympathizer of the leftist group, reminded the communists that he needs to listen and weigh the government side in reaching out to the CPP-NPA.

“If you ask too much, this is a country that is not authoritarian. I head the executive department but I consult people and the military, especially on this matter,” he said.

“Of course, nobody stood up in my face that it is not good,” he said, adding he got the cues during his conversations with concerned government officials.

Duterte stressed he is not a dictator, saying he has to consult the other branches of government in deciding on major issues.

“I said I have to temper, I have to calibrate my moves vis-à-vis the military and the police. What is important is that they have respect. Otherwise, if they lose their respect, then all is lost,” Duterte added.

He underscored the lessons he learned from his father, a former governor, about the importance of getting the respect of every person.

Hopeful for bilateral accord

Government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III said the government is looking forward to signing a bilateral agreement to end hostilities with the National Democratic Front, despite a decision of the NPA, the NDF’s armed wing, to withdraw its unilateral ceasefire.

“We look forward to meeting with our NDF counterparts for the fourth round of talks in April and to discuss the possibility of a bilateral ceasefire agreement on Feb. 22, as agreed upon during the third round of talks held in Rome,” Bello said.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano