MANILA - Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison sees the possibility of a ceasefire between communist rebels and the government if Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte wins the presidency.
Sison, who has been in exile in The Netherlands since 1987, said returning home is also an option under a Duterte administration.
This comes after the New People’s Army (NPA) handed over five policemen to Duterte on Tuesday, nine days after the cops were abducted.
As chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Sison said he talked to Duterte on Tuesday to thank him for helping in the negotiations for the release of the cops and to discuss plans for peace talks.
“We talked about the need to resume the peace negotiations and release the political prisoners unjustly imprisoned by the Arroyo and Aquino charged in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees,” Sison told ABS-CBN News in an online interview.
“We have good vibes because he was my student in Political Thought at the Lyceum of the Philippines,” Sison added, recalling his ties with Duterte before martial law was declared in 1972.
Sison claimed Duterte promised to set a meeting “if he wins.”
“The mayor said that if he wins, we would meet as soon as possible abroad and then in the Philippines,” said Sison.
He said they also agreed that a ceasefire can happen even while “comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms are being worked out.”
“I will come home as soon as there is a sure basis for the ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks. I might even come home for a visit as early as June to witness the oath-taking of Duterte, if he wins or if he is not cheated,” said Sison.
Sison’s homecoming plans also include attending the launch of TIBAK, a new film about his stint as Kabataang Makabayan (KM) leader. He said Duterte was once a member of the KM.
KM was a radical student movement set up in 1964. Its leaders, including Sison, would later establish the CPP and the NPA. Many KM members went underground after martial law was declared in 1972, and it is still an underground revolutionary organization until today.
ENDORSEMENT FOR DUTERTE
Sison clarified that he has not endorsed Duterte, “because the NDFP is not supposed to interfere in the elections of the ruling system.”
He, however, heaped praises on the Davao mayor.
“He is the most open to coalition government of national unity, peace and development,” said Sison.
The communist leader also cited Duterte’s good ties with the rebel movement.
“I can see the track record and good qualities of Duterte. He has been very cooperative with the revolutionary movement in ways beneficial to the people,” said Sison.
Sison said he has not communicated with other presidential candidates this month but has met various emissaries since August 2015, “within the same parameters of peace negotiations that I have talked to Duterte.”
Thea Alberto-Masakayan, ABS-CBN News
* “Joma Sison eyes ceasefire, return to PH if Détente wins”. ABS-CBN News. Posted at 27 Apr 2016 09:56 PM:
http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/27/16/joma-sison-eyes-ceasefire-return-to-ph-if-duterte-wins
Communist rebels hand over cops to Duterte
DAVAO CITY - Two helicopters carrying Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and five police officers abducted and later released by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) landed at the police regional office in Camp Catitipan, Davao City on Monday afternoon.
The cops were freed in Paquibato District, Davao City after being held captive for 9 days by the rebel group.
A “heroes’ welcome” from their fellow policemen greeted the freed captives Chief Insp. Leonardo Tarongoy, PO3 Rosenie Cabuenas, PO3 Rodolfo Pacete, PO3 Abdul Azis Ali, and PO2 Noel Arellano.
Regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan welcomed the safe return of the police officers, who were abducted while conducting a follow up investigation after an encounter between government troops and the NPA.
Duterte negotiated with the rebel group for the cops’ release.
“Kanina sabi ko sa itaas, ano na naman bang kalokohan ito, pabalik-balik tayo ng istorya dito, sabi nga nila, ang ibang commander akala nag-reinforce, tapos sabi ko, kukunin ko yan sila. Nagbiro pa ako. Limang boto ’yang mawala sa akin,” Duterte said.
Duterte said this is the 36th batch of hostages he has sought release from the rebel group since became mayor of Davao in 1988.
Grabbing the opportunity, Duterte campaigned for votes from the police officers.
Duterte promised that he will double the salary of police officers if he becomes President.
’EMILIO AGUINALDO’
During the final Pilipinas Debates 2016 held at the University of Pangasinan, Duterte was asked to identify his campaign financier.
Duterte only said that his financier is “Emilio Aguinaldo.”
In an interview, Duterte said the ordinary Davaoeños are helping him through donations.
“It’s fictitious. Eh sino ba naman ang magbigay sa’yo kung ibulgar mo yung pangalan niya. You can write it in Comelec, pero after na. Karamihan taga-Davao,” Duterte said.
He said there were offers from big businessmen before but with conditions if he win as president. He said they did not pursue their offers.
Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News
* ABS-CBN News. Posted at 26 Apr 2016 05:27 AM | Updated as of 26 Apr 2016 04:45 PM:
http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/regions/04/25/16/communist-rebels-hand-over-cops-to-duterte