Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday berated Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison for insulting President Duterte following the cancellation of the visit to Manila of National Democratic of the Philippines leaders Luis Jaladoni and Coni Ladesma.
“In his recent statement, Mr. Joma Sison said that “threats have been made by the armed minions of Duterte against Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma. They have therefore decided not to go to Manila”,” Lorenzana said.
“Mr. Sison is trying his damndest best to have his subalterns meet with the President and yet, at the same time, throws an insulting remark. This shows his lack of respect for the President,” he added.
Lorenzana said Sison insulted not only Duterte, but also the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police when he called them the President’s “minions.”
He said minion is a term of contempt. It means a servile, fawning, and an unimportant person who is at the beck and call of a powerful person.
“This is a great insult to our police and military officers and personnel who are doing their jobs with utmost dedication and professionalism in serving the Filipino people,” Lorenzana said.
“Mr. Sison’s insult will only make the police and military dig in and oppose any overtures of peace talks from the National Democratic Front. It is so typical of Mr. Sison to always put the blame on the government for a decision only they themselves made.”
“Hindi kawalan sa gobyerno kung ituloy man o hindi nina Mr. Jalandoni at Ms. Ledesma ang pagbalik sa Pilipinas,” Lorenzana added.
The Defense Secretary maintained that the government not desperate to resume peace talks with the NDF. He added that the government is not losing a large number of fighters because of the effectiveness of the localized peace talks and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (Francis T. Wakefield)
