AFP says Joma’s reported support for Duterte a ‘non-issue’

As far as the military is concerned, the reported endorsement of communist leader Jose Maria Sison of the possible presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a "non-issue."

“It’s a non-issue because we have come to know the mayor as having the ability to work with all sectors of the society, whether they be in the center, the left or the right,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla, referring to Duterte.

He said support from Sison, who is on self-exile in The Netherlands, does not mean Duterte is pro-communist, citing instances in the past where the mayor played a role in securing the freedom of soldiers captured by New People's Army rebels in the Davao region.

“Pinakita naman niya ito matagal na, at hindi naman dahil nakakausap siya ng kalaban ay talagang panig na siya sa kanilang side. Hindi naman ganun,” Padilla said of Duterte.

A report by the Philippine News Agency said Sison expressed his support for Duterte through a voice message that the mayor played during a gathering of his supporters in Davao City last week.

In his message, Sison lauded Duterte for his being open to development through "Filipino-owned industrialization and land reform."

"Sa tingin ko bukas naman siya sa development ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng Filipino-owned industrialization and land reform at kumbinsido ako na makabayan siya at ipagtatanggol niya ang pambansang soberenhiya at integridad ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas," Sison said.

Padilla, meanwhile, refused to speculate on what would happen to the military’s counter-insurgency operations if ever Duterte gets elected to Malacañang.

"Let’s wait until we cross the bridge and find out who the next president is. It depends on the Filipino people who they will vote for,” he said. —KBK, GMA News