Duterte not lifting proclamation declaring CPP-NPA terror group

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday maintained that he will not yet lift the proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), as a terror group.

"Not yet," Duterte said when asked by reporters in a press conference at Davao International Airport if he is willing to lift the proclamation.

Duterte signed the proclamation in December last year, in view of RA 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, which, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, identified the CPP-NPA as "terrorist organization."

In the press conference, Duterte reiterated his mandate to "save [the] lives" of the Filipinos and make their lives comfortable.

"I would save lives. Filipinos against government because you cannot expect our people in unison to... to toe the line. At I also save the life of the soldiers and policemen," he said.

"So nag-iwan ako ng maliit na window. Only 16 days. Noon gusto nila magpunta ako sa Amsterdam. But you know, it would not look good for a President to be chasing the elusive peace," he added.

Duterte has earlier invited CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to come back to the Philippines and talk peace with him.

"Huwag lang kayong magdala ng armas sa labas. Until such time that we’re able to perfect an agreement, then keep your firearms there in the camp, but do not go out of the camp bringing guns. Diyan lang kayo, then we talk," he said.

"I am ready to listen to anybody, even to Sison, lecture on me how to improve the lives of Filipinos.... So I have to find the peace," he added.

Sison, for his part, said he would be willing directly talk to Duterte if he is sure that the peace negotiations will no longer be bungled by "peace spoilers." — Erwin Colcol/BM, GMA News