(Eagle News) — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana lashed out at Jose Maria Sison, a day after the founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines can no longer hold peace talks with President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
“Mr. Sison, you know that the peace talks is the only thing that is keeping you in the limelight. Without it, you are irrelevant,” Lorenzana said.
According to Lorenzana, Sison was therefore “desperately using reverse psychology and intimidation” to save the negotiations.
In response to the “childish tantrums,” Lorenzana said government troops would “vigorously pursue the ongoing localized peace talks.”
“I am sure that once you are out of the picture, true peace will have a chance to become a reality and you will be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he said.
On Friday, June 29, Sison clarified it was the National Council of the NDFP that would decide whether or not to suspend peace talks.
He said he could only recommend in his capacity as consultant.
