KMP says Sara attempting to sabotage peace talks

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte should look at herself in the mirror to determine who is the devil, according to peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

KMP chair Danilo Ramos made the statement as he criticized Duterte for saying that the Marcos administration’s initiative in resuming peace talks with communist rebels is an agreement with the devil.

Ramos reminded Duterte, whom he called a top peace spoiler, that she is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration led a bloody crackdown on drug suspects and activists.

“VP Sara is the offspring of the devil, she is the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte who terminated peace talks in 2017 and is at fault for crimes against humanity over the thousands killed in the war on drugs,” Ramos said in Filipino.

Ramos condemned Duterte for trying to sabotage peace talks.

“Those who do not want peace are the likes of Duterte who have blood on their hands with how much they have wronged the Filipino people,” he added.

The peasant group supported President Marcos’ decision to open lines of communication with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Ramos said farmers want an end to the armed conflict and lasting peace.

Meanwhile, NDF peace negotiating panel member Coni Ledesma dismissed the Vice President’s tirades.

In an interview with ANC, Ledesma said what is important is that Marcos initiated the resumption of peace talks.

She also lauded Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. for supporting the peace talks, which she said was initiated by special representative Emmanuel Bautista.

“We will do our best to make the talks succeed,” she added.

‘Not personal’

Former senator and newly appointed Liberal Party spokesperson Leila de Lima yesterday said that her call for the Vice President to step down as education secretary was “not personal.”

“My observation is not personal to Sara. It’s just the way Cabinets all over the world work. You sing out of tune, you either get out or are kicked out,” De Lima posted on X, formerly Twitter.

De Lima earlier urged Duterte to resign following her opposition to the government’s position last month to revive peace talks with communist groups.

“All Cabinet secretaries are the alter egos of the President. An alter ego cannot have a different mind than the President. That’s why it’s called an alter ego,” she noted.

“She must not forget that she is still a Cabinet secretary bound to the alter ego principles in the executive branch,” she added. – Nillicent Bautista, Emmanuel Tupas