PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has always pushed peace talks while maintaining government cannot cow in fear before forces wishing to topple it like the NPA. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The New People’s Army (NPA) cannot expect to forge fresh peace talks with the government while issuing death threats against President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said late Friday. The lawmaker said the NPA rebels should first prove their sincerity.

Saying the President has been for peace at the onset, Go said with whom the NPA partisans would talk to if the President is killed.

“Kung gusto niyo pala ng peace talks, wala na kayong kakausapin na tao kung papatayin ninyo. Kung gusto niyo ng kapayapaan, kung gusto niyo ng usapang pangkapayapaan, buhayin niyo ‘yan,” Go said.

“Si Pangulo, with all sincerity kausap. Wala na pong ibang taong makikipag-negosasyon sa inyo at kakausapin tungkol diyan,” he added.

Apart from the communist rebels, drug criminals and syndicates have also placed the President on their hit list, according to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Following these threats and with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ upcoming 51st anniversary on December 26, the PSG was reported to have intensified its efforts to secure President Duterte.

Go emphasized that the NPA should not undermine the trust and confidence of the President as he recalled how they would visit several times the rebels’ lair in Davao to rescue abducted soldiers without any security personnel.

“Ibig sabihin, nagtiwala kami sa inyo. Umakyat kami ng bundok na walang bodyguards or armas. Nagtiwala ang Pangulo sa inyo. Kung gusto niyo ng kapayapaan, makipag-usap kayo,” he said.