Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go denounced the death threats against President Rodrigo R. Duterte by the New People’s Army (NPA), saying the communist rebel group should prove its sincerity should it want the peace talks with the government to resume.
In a radio interview, Go said the threats will only imperil the proposed resumption of peace talks between the government and the NPA.
“Kung gusto niyo pala ng peace talks, wala na kayong kakausapin na tao kung papatayin ninyo. Kung gusto niyo ng kapayapaan, kung gusto niyo ng usapang pangkapayapaan, buhayin niyo ‘yan (If you want peace talks, you have no one to talk to if you are going to kill him. If you want peace talks, keep him alive),” he said.
Go noted the President’s commitment to attaining peace in the country.
“Si Pangulo, with all sincerity kausap. Wala na pong ibang taong makikipag-negosasyon sa inyo at kakausapin tungkol diyan (The President is sincere. No one else would negotiate with you),” he added.
Apart from the communist rebels, drug criminals and syndicates have also placed the President on their hit list, according to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
Following these threats and with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 51st anniversary on December 26, the PSG was reported to have intensified its efforts to secure Duterte.
The NPA should not undermine the trust and confidence of the President, Go said as he recalled how they visited rebels’ lairs in Davao without any security personnel to rescue abducted soldiers.
“Ibig sabihin, nagtiwala kami sa inyo. Umakyat kami ng bundok na walang bodyguards or armas. Nagtiwala ang Pangulo sa inyo. Kung gusto niyo ng kapayapaan, makipag-usap kayo (This means that we trusted you. We went to your hideouts without bodyguards or arms. The President has trusted you. If you want peace, negotiate with him),” he said.
Go also warned the NPA to think twice before threatening the life of the President.
“Si Pangulo naman ayaw niya na ang mga Pilipino o kapwa Pilipino ay nagpapatayan. Sino ba namang Pilipino ang gustong patayin ang kapwa Pilipino? (The President does not want Filipinos to kill fellow Filipinos. What Filipino would want to kill a fellow Filipino?)” he added. (PR)