Palace disses Joma’s threat vs. Duterte

Malacanang on Thursday downplayed the statement of Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Maria Sison that the CPP's main objective in 2019 would be to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. 

“He has been saying that. His is a failed rebellion," presidential spokesperson and legal counsel Salvador Panelo said at a press briefing.

"It is about time that he realize the fact that 50 years of rebellion has not borne any fruits in so far as the intention of rebellion is launched is concerned,” he added.

He said the people for whom the CPP has sought to fight were now the victims of their armed struggle.

“Just like the rebel senator, he is an illusionist, a visionary that becomes illusory.  Sa palagay ko, panahon na para magkaroon siya ng enlightenment,” Panelo said.

Panelo said Sison is out of touch from reality because he lives miles away from the Philippines.

“I don’t blame him given the fact that he is how many thousand miles away. Wala talaga siya sa realidad, hindi niya nakikita ang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas,” Panelo said.

Panelo said Sison's statement did not carry any weight.

“Wala naman talagang maselang threat ‘yung ke Sison mismo. Pero ‘yung nasa ground na gumagawa ng pagsalakay ‘yan ang banta. But ready naman ang ating Armed Forces dyan,” he said. —NB, GMA News