MALACAÑANG on Friday, October 26, shrugged off the communists' call for President Rodrigo Duterte to step down as the country's highest official in the land, amid alleged violence committed by the military.
In a statement, Presidential Spoksperson Salvador Panelo said the Leftist group's latest appeal for Duterte to resign was "nothing new and suprising."
During a protest action held in Davao City on October 23, the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno and Makabayan group sought the resignation of the Chief Executive, for condoning violence under his watch and the killings of indigenous peoples.
Panelo said the call for the President's resignation was merely part of the "continuing propaganda war" waged by communist founder Jose Maria Sison and other communist insurgents against the current administration.
"It is very clear to us and to our people who the adversaries of this nation are," the Palace official said.
"This administration is firmly devoted to protecting the security of all Filipinos and ensuring peace and order in our communities. If someone should be blamed for promoting violence in the country, perhaps the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army) should point the finger at themselves," he added.
Panelo's latest remarks came amid government's persistent allegations, citing intelligence sources, that the communist group is plotting a massive destabilization to ensure Duterte's successful removal from office.
Defending the Philippine troops, Panelo said it was the communists, and not the military, who are perpetrating human rights abuses.
He also linked the communists' armed component, the NPA, to the recent ambush of a government convoy in Camarines Sur that led to the deaths of three policemen; attack of a municipal police station in Northern Samar; torching of heavy equipment in Davao City's three villages; and burning of a logging firm's equipment in Isabela province.
"In the past months, suspected NPA members have wreaked havoc in several parts of the country," Panelo said.
"In actual fact, it is Mr. Sison's armed comrades who are inflicting violence throughout the country and threatening the safety of our people," he added. (SunStar Philippines)