Duterte says Reds wanted coalition gov’t: ‘I cannot give you what I do not own’

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he decided to no longer talk peace with the Reds, saying communist rebels sounded like they wanted a “coalition government.”

“I just signed a proclamation terminating the talks in Norway between the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), NDF, NPA with the government,” Duterte said in a speech before members of the First Scout Ranger Regiment at Camp Tecson in Bulacan, referring to Proclamation No. 360.

“As it was shaping up during our talks, I already noticed the trend of the thoughts of the other side. And when I sum it all, reading from all previous working papers, it would sound like a coalition government,” he said.

“That is why I said in the previous days, I cannot give you what I do not own. And certainly, a coalition government with the Republic of the Philippines is pure nonsense," Duterte said.

Duterte said he cannot be judged for not trying to forge peace with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“Let it not be said that I did not try to reach out to them,” he said.

Duterte, on Thursday night, signed Proclamation No. 360 declaring the termination of peace talks with the communist rebels.

Duterte reiterated that he would declare the CPP movement as a terrorist group.

The President also told communist leaders who were out on bail to participate in the peace talks to surrender.

“I have ordered the release of about 30 to 40 communist leaders from Muntinlupa. Now, I will consider the movement of the Communist Party of the Philippines as a terrorist group. I am ordering those I have released temporarily to surrender...You have to go back to where you belong,” he said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza earlier said the CPP-NPA-NDF has failed to “show reciprocity” even as Duterte “has walked the so-called extra mile to bring peace.” — RSJ, GMA News