FORMER Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo "Pulong" Duterte lambasted Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison for his recent statement accusing the former and his father, President Rodrigo Duterte, as the biggest protector of the narcotics trade in the country.
“Joma Sison’s accusation that my father and I are the biggest protectors of illegal drugs in the country confirms that the founder of the oldest terror group in Southeast Asia is completely losing it,” the Presidential son said, adding that Sison "is a disgrace to this country.”
The former vice mayor added, “The statement sounded insanely absurd as it was a repetition of, if not inspired by, an old gossip propagated and sowed around by an anti-Duterte Senator who is also a rabid anti-communist.”
It can be recalled that Duterte’s staunch critic Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had previously implicated Paolo in the controversial multi-billion drug smuggling and tagged him as a member of an international drug syndicate.
The younger Duterte said Sison is only spreading false accusation, calling him "a pathological liar himself." He said the latter's move was merely aimed to discredit the government’s effort and its strong campaign against illegal drugs.
“This echolalia showed how much Sison was willing to take for the sake of public attention, propaganda, and significance. It also showed the nature of his politics and principles — where it’s acceptable for enemies to sleep together in one bed, speak one language, and unify forces and work together until the common target is toppled down,” the former vice mayor said.
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) had reset the planned resumption of peace talks with the CPP-National Democratic Front (NDF) and will only go back to the negotiating table once the trust and confidence has been established.
They also said that there is a need to engage the public for consultations.
“Sison and his organizations — the CPP-NDFP-NPA — will be remembered in history for their contribution in the revolution that victimized the oppressed, the poor, and ultimately, the growth and development of the Philippines," he added.