This act of the President, to face thousands of angry protesters shouting their complaints and demands from the administration, was a historical move as it hasn't been done by past Presidents after delivering their SONAs. Instead of flying back to the Malacañang Palace after his speech, the President went straight to face his critics.
The headstrong President Duterte shouted back the protesters, “Shut up first. I don’t want to face you if you are like that," as they chanted "we want peace!"
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| Photo from Inquirer |
The President continued to address the protesters.
“You can shout at me here and disrespect me but this is the last time that I will talk to you,” said President Duterte.
He called for mutual respect between him and his protesters, adding he was once like the activists. Then he further addressed the protesters on issues regarding peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) wherein the Malacañang stated that the peace talks were just postponed for now, but the President clarified his own statements that he stands firm in not resuming with the peace talks. Earlier, he even called out CPP founding chairman, Jose Maria Sison, for a war for the next 50 years. This is after several ambushes initiated by the members of the New People's Army (NPA) against the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and police officers.
During this tense moment, the President was flanked by his security assistants beside him, as well as Bong Go, Special Assistant to the President.
In a separate interview, Quezon City police director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar also admitted on Monday that the President's interaction with the crowd has been a "security nightmare."
“Kita niyo security nightmare yan when the President planned to be there, di ba to talk to them? Gusto niyang makausap sila so sinong Presidente gagawa nyan, na ginawa na yan,” Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar told reporters after Duterte faced the demonstrators.
The president also pointed out these alleged NPA encounters as to why he would not continue the peace talks with the CPP.
The President was referring to the ambush last week initiated allegedly by New People’s Army rebels on the convoy of PSGs in Arakan, North Cotabato. One CAFGU members was killed while five of PSGs were hurt in the ambush, but Duterte was not in the area.
“You cannot ambush me and ask me to talk to you... Bakit ninyo ako gaganunin? Sino makakausap nyo sa peace talks, yung kaluluwa ko? (Why will you do that to me? Who will talk to you on the resumption of peace talks, my soul)?” President Duterte said.
“Kung parang kalaban ang tingin ninyo sa akin, wag na tayo mag-usap. Kung gusto niyo ring magpatayan ang Pilipinas okay rin lang ako. Yan ang gusto ninyo sirain ang bayan natin,” the President added
The President addressed the protesters that they can always air their sentiments and complaints to their representatives in the Cabinet.
“You have representatives in my government, ask them what I am doing,” he said, referring to Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano.
He said he was still willing to listen to their complaints and deliver his promises to all.
Sources: Inquirer
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