‘Complete lie’: Joma Sison dares Duterte to prove conspiracy between Liberal Party, Magdalo, communists
By CNN Philippines Staff
Updated 18:04 PM PHT Wed, September 12, 2018
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/09/12/Duterte-ouster-destabilization-CPP-Joma-Sison-Trillanes-Magdalo-Liberal-Party.html
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 12) — Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its exiled founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Wednesday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to release proof communist rebels are banding with the opposition to destabilize the government.
He denied the communist group is in constant communication with other Duterte critics to topple the government, as claimed by the President during his televised conversation with Secretary Salvador Panelo on Tuesday.
“He is simply not telling the truth when he says there already is conspiracy between CPP, Magdalo, and the Liberal Party. This is absolutely false… Walang nangyayaring pag-uusap. Imbento lang ni Duterte para palitawin ang galit ng masa,” he said in a Skype interview with CNN Philippines.
Sison went on to goad the president, “The best way for me to reply to this complete lie is to challenge Mr. Duterte to present the recording.”
Duterte said he has audio evidence that Sison, the Magdalo group, and other critics are in constant communication to plot his ouster. He added he will ask the “foreign country sympathetic to us” that gave him the information to declassify the intel.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they will verify the supposed destabilization plot against the Duterte administration, adding that the President has various sources of intelligence information.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said if these reports were true, there would be “zero” support from the police force for Trillanes.
The defense department also denied that some soldiers are brewing alleged destabilization plots.
“I am nonetheless reminding every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine not to meddle or take part in partisan politics. Our loyalty is to the Constitution. I command the troops to adhere to the rule of law and always obey the Chain of Command,” Armed Forces Chief Carlito Galvez said.
CPP: Duterte destabilizing own regime
Sison reiterated the CPP has a mass movement to oust Duterte, but there is no connivance with other groups.
The CPP founder went on to criticize Duterte, saying he is creating his own downfall with his socioeconomic and political decisions.
“The best force destabilizing the regime of Duterte is Duterte himself. Duterte has destabilized himself by presenting himself as a brutal king and as a highly exploitative king that engages in burdening the people with soaring prices,” he said.
Duterte also claimed there is a plot to sabotage and assassinate him. He also dared the Magdalo group – the group of soldiers led by embattled Senator Antonio Trillanes IV – to start moving for his ouster, while enumerating the incentives he has given troops during his term.
Alejano: Duterte’s claims ‘absurd’
Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano said Duterte’s claim that Magdalo is conniving with the CPP to oust him is absurd.
“This is absurd. Categorically, I am stating that we don’t connive with the communist, with the New People’s Army pero ginagalang natin ang anumang democratic process of dissent sa mga kakulangan ng gobyerno. Bahagi po yan,” he said.
[Translation: But we respect any democratic process of dissent against inadequacies of the government. That’s part.]
He said they will never do this because they do not believe in extra-constitutional means of ousting the President. Magdalo is a partylist group representing former and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police officials, the urban poor, and the youth.
Trillanes, and Vice President Leni Robredo, who leads the opposition Liberal Party, have denied Duterte’s ouster allegations.
