Duterte to Joma Sison: Can you really think you can destroy the Philippines?

January 1, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he wants to have a one-on-one meeting with Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and will ask him what he really wants and if he thinks he can "really destroy" the Philippines.

In a speech in earthquake-hit M'lang, Cotabato, Duterte said the communist New People's Army is a plain bandit group.

"They (NPA members) are just plain bandits, they don't have any ideology anymore. They collect from the farm enterprises, they burned trucks...it does not really make any sense," he said.

Duterte said he is trying to set a talk with Sison, who is self-exiled in the Netherlands, here in the country.

"I told Sison, 'You come home and we will talk alone.' Just the two of us. I don't want the (peace) panel. They said he (Sison) is somewhat deaf already. That's better," he said.

If Sison agrees to talk to him, Duterte said, "I will ask him...what do you want? You want to destroy a country? Can you really think you can destroy the Philippines?"

He noted that many rebels have surrendered.

Duterte expressed hope more NPA members will return to the folds of law, including those in M'lang.

Meanwhile, Duterte apologized to Cotabato residents that it was only on Monday he visited them after a recent powerful earthquake.

"I’m really very sorry. When this (earrhquake) hit here, it's almost the same in Davao. I was sleeping," he said, adding his Presidential Security Group tried to convince him to go out from the house after he decided to just return to sleep.

He assured the affected residents that the government will continue to help them.

"To date, monetary assistance and other materials such as shelter repair kits, medicines, generators, water containers, hygiene packs, food packs and tents have been provided for the victims and their families," he said.

"I assure you that the government will continue to help all of you until you are able to get back on your feet and start anew with renewed hope and greater capacity to lead dignified lives," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS