Rody: Maximum tolerance

Smiles and a wink President Rodrigo Duterte with guests during the opening of the National Science and Technology Week Friday in Davao City. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO “ I don’t want to see any rifle, except your baton and your shield.”

President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend slammed shut the door on peace talks with communist rebels, citing their call to oust him.

In a speech in Davao City, the President stressed he will not push through with negotiations even if it means waging war for another 50 years.

In the same speech, the President called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) this July 23.

“Seek redress, shout on the streets. I want you to have a festive day. I will declare the next two days as vacation time so all people can go there during the SONA address and you can hold demonstrations there,” Duterte said.

The President stressed the military and police should exercise restraint in dealing with protesters during his SONA and that they should not wield firearms during rallies.

“I will tell the military and the police, exercise maximum tolerance. Just back off until you are pushed to the wall,” the President said.

“As much as possible I don’t want to see any rifle, except your baton and your shield. You have to sacrifice. You might get spat on… I’m not asking you to die, just retreat and retreat and retreat until you fall into the Pasig River.”

During his second SONA last year, Duterte went out of the Batasan Complex and met with some of the protesters.

“Sabi ni Sison (Sison said) I will not last three years,” said Duterte.

“Ayaw ko na makipag-usap sa inyo kasi sabi ninyo three years na lang ako (I don’t want to talk to you since you say I only have three years),” he added.

“Fine. If that is my destiny, I will accept it,” said the President who expressed readiness to extend the battle with the communists.

Sison had said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) would no longer negotiate with the Duterte administration and that it would support moves to topple him from power.

“Ang sabi nila (They say) instead of fighting, they’ll use their energies to oust Duterte,” he said. “Okay lang, kung ‘yun ang ginusto ng tao (It’s okay if that’s what the people want).”