Palace backs 3 leftist Cabinet members

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang reiterated yesterday support for three leftist Cabinet secretaries despite President Duterte’s decision to pursue the government’s offensive against the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Senior deputy executive secretary Menardo Guevarra said there is no reason to relieve Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III from their posts.

“As far as the Office of the President is concerned, we see no reason why the three so-called leftist members of the Cabinet will have to be removed,” he said, rebutting the call of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for the Chief Executive to remove the three left-leaning officials from the Cabinet.

Trillanes said it is incumbent for the President to fire the three officials after he ordered the military to go after the New People’s Army (NPA).

Guevarra defended the three officials, adding that they continue to have the President’s trust and confidence.

Rody meets cop freed by NPA

As this developed, Duterte met Police Officer 1 Alfredo Basabica Jr. to check his condition shortly after he was released by NPA rebels last week.

Malacañang said Basabica was presented to the President at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-11 Headquarters in Davao City last Sunday.

Basabica was released by the rebels last July 28, a day before his supposed wedding to his fiancé Princess Kaye Dacoycoy. 

He is a member of the 2nd Platoon of the Davao Oriental Provincial Public Safety Command in Aliwagwag PPSC Patrol Base in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

NPA rebels captured the policeman while he was on board a passenger bus and on his way home along Kilometer 26 in Barangay Panansalan, Compostela town, Compostela Valley province last July 11.