Lorenzana to Joma Sison: You and what army?

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana scoffed at National Democratic Front of the Philippines chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison, indicating the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman no longer had the ears of many members of the New People's Army.

Lorenzana made the remark after Sison expressed frustration over President Rodrigo Duterte's decision not to push through with the scheduled resumption of the peace negotiations on June 28.

Sison said the Philippine government and the NDFP had signed agreements earlier this month to implement a stand-down ceasefire on June 21 and start the talks in Norway on June 28.

In a statement, Sison said the rebels would thus continue its offensives meant to topple the Duterte administration.

"Instead of rationally talking with our Panel to discuss how to move forward the resumption of the peace talks, he goes into tantrum and orders the NPA to wage a people’s war," said Lorenzana, a retired general.

"His ego is robbing many of Filipinos, whom he has misled all these years, of what could be their best chance ever to rejoin their families and live productive lives," he added.

Lorenzana said NPA rebels had been surrendering "in droves since November last year."

"Mr Sison, so easy for you to order the NPA to wage war and get killed while you are safely in the Netherlands enjoying a life of comfort and leisure. Your so-called army no longer listens to you," Lorenzana said.

"They are sick and tired of your lies and rhetoric, and are in fact heeding the call of President Duterte to come down and live peaceful lives and they are doing just that," he added. —NB, GMA News