Mayor Rodrigo Duterte hits back at retired army general Jovito Palparan calling him “pathetic” and “bigot” for tagging him as “Red-Coddler” in an article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday.
“The accusation that I am a “Red-coddler” is a perfect
example of the bigotry, which has afflicted our country like a scourge - which
breaks down Filipinos into small groups, preventing us from uniting and
achieving our dreams as a people under one flag,” he added.
Duterte stressed that people like Palparan were greatest
misfortune as a people is having leaders and prominent individuals who divide
the country into groups.
Duterte, who has been facilitating release of soldiers and
police taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) as prisoners of war, admitted he
coddles the reds and feed them, too, referring to the Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)-NPA. But
Duterte pointed out he also coddles other colors.
“Yes, I coddle the Reds, they are Filipinos after all,”
Duterte said in a press statement.
In an Inquirer report, Palparan, who is tagged as the
Butcher for alleged killing, torture and disappearance of political activists,
said Duterte should not run for president because of his close association of the
enemy of the state in reference to the communist movement.
Palparan even cited Duterte’s permission given to the NPA on
the burial march of NPA commander Leoncio Pitao alias Ka Parago. “Duterte’s
support for communist rebels was very evident during the death of Kumander
Parago,” Palparan was quoted as saying. Palparan was being charged for the
disappearance of two students of the University of the Philippines (UP) in
2006.
Duterte said there was nothing wrong in it and that he
respected the communist ideology or the Moro principle.
“I also embrace the sick, the oppressed, the weak, the
scared and most of all, the children who look for security and protection as
they venture into the big world looking for answers to their questions and
searching for a place they could call their own,” he said. “I also coddle the
other Filipinos who have been categorized to belong to the three other major
colors representing the national flag -- blue, yellow and white,” Duterte
added.
The mayor also emphasized that talking to the communists,
rightists and the Moro rebels is part of his efforts to find common ground to
bring peace and unity in the country.
Duterte also emphasized on equality and his inclusive
governance that is indicated by the passage of city’s Anti-Discrimination
Ordinance, particularly against Muslims and LGBTs; the appointment of deputy
mayors representing different Muslim tribes and Lumads.
“We should be like a rainbow, a country of diverse colors
but united and bound by the common desire of becoming a beautiful spectacle in
the sky,” Duterte said.
Duterte said the only people he detested are the criminals
and the drug dealers because unlike the revolutionaries who are motivated by
their principles and ideology, they are consumed by greed and the desire to
gain while causing other people pain.
Duterte noted that he has never been accused of murdering
bright, young and idealistic Filipino children unlike accused Palparan, “who
sees things red because of his bloodshot eyes.”
The mayor stressed that despite his friendship with
communist rebels, Davao
City
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=810953
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