President Duterte on Tuesday night slammed the Left for challenging him to resume negotiations with the communists, while, at the same time, calling him a fascist and a dictator.
At a news briefing, the President took swipe at activists who staged demonstrations the past days to condemn the visit of United States President Donald J. Trump to the country.
He said he cannot comprehend why the Left keeps on insisting to resume the peace talks with the National Democratic Front while, at the same time, criticizing his decisions as president.
“Look at the propaganda outside [being foisted by the Left]: Duterte, the US, fascist, dictators. And then I said suddenly last week, If I am a dictator, if I am a son of a b_ _ _h, why are you forcing me to talk to you?” Duterte said. “[Again] look [at their] propaganda: Resume peace talks.”
“Oh, if you think that I’m a fascist and a killer, why are you talking to me?” Duterte said, adding let the warning stand for others who will try to bargain with him and, yet, attack him for his policies.
Negotiations with the communists are currently suspended, following the government’s withdrawal from the peace talks in May. Although the government panel has expressed optimism the peace talks will soon resume, the President has yet to issue a marching order to his negotiators to return to the negotiating table.
Left-leaning groups have staged a series of protests over the past days to condemn Trump’s visit to the country. They have accused the US leader of being a fascist, racist and a bigot for his tough policies against undocumented immigrants and people of color.
Trump was in the country for the 31st Asean Summit, which concluded on Tuesday.
Image credits: AP