Joma twits ‘crazy’ NSC chief over CPP-shakeup yarn

MANILA, Philippines - An irked Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison scored what he called "deranged" claims by national security adviser Norberto Gonzales of a shakeup in the CPP. Sison said he was not aware of any supposed shakeup in the CPP, where a newspaper report claimed he was ousted in favor of Wilma Tiamzon. "Luko-luko itong Gonzales, ano ang ibig niya sabihin? Gusto ako tanggalin sa prosesong paghahanap ng solusyon sa ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng peace negotiations (This Gonzales is deranged. What is he trying to do? He is trying to derail the search for a peaceful solution to our problem through negotiations)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. A story in the Manila Standard Today newspaper claimed several disgruntled CPP central-committee members wanted to strip Sison of any policy-making power. Gonzales said Tiamzon, the party's secretary general, was the likely successor to Sison, who was supposed to have taken on a symbolic role after he went into exile in The Netherlands. Wilma's husband, Benito Tiamzon, has served as the party's acting chairman since Sison fled the country. "This is a most opportune time for our forces to deal a final blow and end the communist insurgency once and for all," NSC deputy director general Avelino Razon Jr. said. But Sison said he has not received any word of the supposed shakeup. "Halatang-halata kabulastugan ni Norberto Gonzales ang sinasabi ninyo. Ako ay wala sa kalagayan na patalsikin (This is obviously a product of Gonzales' deranged thinking. I am in no position to be ousted)," he said. He said he is already content with being CPP founding chairman and chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Sison is also head of the International League of People's Struggle. "Halatang itong Gonzales na sira ang ulo at nag-iimbento ng kung anu-ano para lang ako ang banatan ... Ngayon lang nalaman ang kalokohan ni Norberto sa mga planted stories sa press (It is obvious Gonzales is deranged and trying to think up anything against me. He has even resorted to using the media)," he said. - GMANews.TV