MANILA, Philippines – “There will be no such thing as coalition government with reds.”

So said President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday (21 December 2019) as he reiterated his line that he would not give in to the demand of the communist rebels to form a coalition government despite his plan to revive the peace talks.

The President touched anew on the issue during his speech of the first Presidential Silent Drill Competition at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

He assured the public that he would never allow the creation of a coalition government under his administration.

“Later on, I realized that nothing else would be good except to have law and order, and one government,” President Duterte said.

“Alam mo, they promised anything and everything. Sumasali sa gobyerno and then sa bidding papers (They joined the government and even showed interest) towards a coalition government. Hindi mangyari ‘yan sa buhay ng ating bayan. Hindi talaga ako papayag kailanman (That will never happen in our country. I will never allow that),” he added.

Duterte’s statement came nearly a week after the Palace announced the possibility of holding peace negotiations anew with communist rebels.

An attack however in Borongan, Eastern Samar by rebels against the police that claimed at least three lives including a police officer and two civilians, somewhat dented the inroads made on the resumption of the peace talks.

What made it sink a little further down was Netherlands-based communist leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison’s claims and direct confirmation, as quoted by the National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the attack was allegedly executed by NPA rebels to counter DND’s pronouncement over diminishing membership.

Duterte, in his latest speech, warned Filipinos not to be swayed by the communist ideology, which he believed was no longer relevant in modern times.

“‘Wag kayong magpadala diyan sa mga ideolohiya na barat. Dumaan na kami diyan. I was one of those people pero later on, I realized that nothing else would be good except to have law and order and one government,” Duterte said.

“They promise anything and everything, including sumasali sa gobyerno, and then submitting papers towards a coalition government. Hindi mangyari ‘yan sa buhay ng ating bayan. Hindi talaga ako papayag kailanman.” (IAMIGO/CNS)