Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said this yesterday in retaliation to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison claims that it’s relatively easier and more productive to participate in the oust-Duterte movement than in peace negotiations with the government.

“But Joma Sison is really boastful. He thinks he is the savior of the country. He said he will oust the President, the term will not be finished,” Roque said.

“Joma Sison, wake up. You’re dreaming. You cannot oust a government while you are in Europe. You come back and live here in the Philippines so that you will see the condition here. Our economy is in very good condition,” he added.

The Palace official further scoffed at Sison whose latest statements had him saying that only a miracle could lead to the resumption of the peace talks given the hardline stance of President Duterte on the conditions set by the CPP-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA).

Sison said they would consider returning to the negotiating table if the President will revoke Proclamation 360 which formally terminated the peace talks in November last year as well as Proclamation 374 which declared the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations and respect all peace accords that had been reached since 1992.

The Palace spokesman rebuked the CPP leader for the cancellation of the peace talks saying that it’s Sison who has balked at the resumption of the negotiations despite Duterte taking initiatives in confidence-building measures such as assurance of safe conduct pass.

Roque said, however, talks should be held in the country. Mr. Duterte even ordered the release of some key communist leaders to take part in the negotiations.

The Palace official said Sison, at the time when the President was still Davao City mayor, had repeatedly reached out to Duterte in the hope of forging peace.

“Stop talking. If you really want to help, come home and be part of building a comfortable nation for the Filipino people,” Roque said.

Roque said Sison should accept the invitation of Mr. Duterte to conduct peace negotiations in the Philippines and not in other countries.

“It is not the government’s fault that peace talks did not push through. It was Joma who backed out. We are Filipinos. What the President had said, let’s talk peace here,” Roque said.

He said Sison should not worry about his safety since Duterte has assured him that he will not be detained in the country.

Roque said while poverty still remains a problem in the country, “many” have been lifted out of poverty.

The President said he would continue to reach out to the enemies of the states, including the Moro rebels in Mindanao, to bring genuine peace in the country.