Trillanes dares Duterte to fire ‘CPP officials’ in gov’t

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to fire members of his Cabinet from the leftist movement.

Trillanes made the remark after Duterte ended the government's ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army and terminated the peace talks with the National Democratic Front.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Armed Forces of the Philippines would also engage the NPA in an all-out war following the recent developments.

“It’s about time. But to prove that this is not another bluster, President Duterte must immediately fire the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) officials whom he appointed to various high positions in government,” Trillanes said in a text message to reporters.

Duterte on Sunday said he was now considering the NPA a terrorist group after he terminated the ceasefire and peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Malacañang officials earlier said leftist members of the Cabinet are not barred from attending Cabinet meetings following the termination of peace talks.

These officials include Agrarian Refom Secretary Rafael Mariano, a former chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and representative of the Anakpawis party-list; National Anti-Poverty Commission chair Liza Maza, former Gabriela party-ist representative; and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod is also considered nominated by the leftist movement.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero warned that an all-out war would only produce a “new generation of insurgents.”

“I don’t agree that an all-out war against the rebels should be called this time. Both parties are responsible for the collapse of the peace talks, although it must be recognized that it was the CPP-NPA who cast the first stone so to speak,” Escudero said in a statement.

“There is no reason really for either party to totally close the possibility of peace or continuing the peace talks, however difficult it may seem at this point in time. Any new war waged will just breed a new generation of insurgents,” the senator added. —NB, GMA News