‘More noise coming from Reds’

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque yesterday clarified reports of a supposed “connivance” between the Church and communist rebels, ostensibly to overthrow the Duterte administration as the duly constituted government.

While emphasizing his statements made Monday do not refer to Church leaders in general, Roque did not discount the likelihood that some religious leaders might join the clamor for the President’s ouster.

“My purpose is to alert all institutions that there are no ongoing peace talks. Expect the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) to go back to its old ways. There will be more of this noise not just coming from the CPP-NPA but also from forces that have embedded themselves in different societies.”

“So it’s a warning to everyone. We’re back to where we were in the past now that apparently we have set aside the peace talks for the time being. This is nothing new. I don’t have to clarify that point any further,” he said at a news briefing at the Palace.

The Palace official was referring only to members of the Church who are unhappy with the election of the President.

“It’s been established. The CPP-NPA has been here for 60 years. There will be efforts on its part to penetrate all sectors of society (and) that’s not new,” Roque said.

But Roque further defended himself stressing he referred to only “some” members or elements of the Church who did not support the President.