(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte stood pat on his earlier decision to cancel peace talks with the National Democratic Front, as he called communist leaders “spoiled brats” and “mayabang” (arrogant).
He said he does not want to talk anymore with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NDF because of their unreasonable demands.
“I tried my best to make peace with everybody,” he said in a speech at the launch of the Hardin ng Lunas at the grounds of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) fire range in Malacanang Park.
“They are spoiled brats. Akala mo sila ang gobyerno kung mag-make ng demands,” Duterte said, referring to the communist leaders.
He noted that the communist rebels announced on February 1 that they would terminate the ceasefire on February 10.
But Duterte said that the New People’s Army rebels have started killing soldiers and policemen even before February 10.
“I am not about to talk again. Ni-release ko na leaders nila lahat. (I already released all their leaders),” he said.
But NDF demanded the release of 400 political prisoners.
The President said this was already too much.
“That is only given after a successful talk or talks. Then you grant amnesty,” he said.
-NDF consultants to be arrested
Duterte also rejected notions that the NDF consultants who were released temporarily, should be exempted from arrests.
“Once they arrive here, they should be arrested and go back to prison,” he said.
“Ang yayabang kung magsalita. (They speak so arrogantly),” the President said.
While he said he was trying to hold his tongue and swallow his pride sometimes, so he could pursue peace, this time, with the killing of unarmed soldiers and government troops, this was “too much” (sumobra naman).
Over the weekend, the President called the NPA terrorists as he cancelled peace talks with the CPP-NPA.
“Peace talks will remain cancelled unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the interest of the nation,” he said during his visit to his parents’ tomb in Davao City Saturday night.
