Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go denounced on Friday, December 20, the death threats against President Rodrigo Duterte by the communist rebel group New People’s Army (NPA), saying that they should prove their sincerity should they want the peace talks with the government to resume.
Go said in a radio interview that the threats will only imperil the proposed resumption of peace talks between the government and the NPA. He added that the President is committed to attaining peace in the country.
“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,” Go said.
“Si Pangulo, with all sincerity kausap. Wala na pong ibang taong makikipag-negosasyon sa inyo at kakausapin tungkol diyan,” 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’ upcoming 51st anniversary on December 26, the PSG was reported to have intensified its efforts to secure President Duterte.
Meanwhile, Go emphasized that the NPA should not undermine the trust and confidence of the President as he recalled how they would visit several times the rebels’ lair in Davao to rescue abducted soldiers without any security personnel.
“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,” he said.
Go also warned the NPA to think twice before threatening the life of the President, adding that Filipinos should not kill each other.
“Si Pangulo naman ayaw niya na ang mga Pilipino o kapwa Pilipino ay nagpapatayan. Sino ba namang Pilipino ang gustong patayin ang kapwa Pilipino?” he added.
