Roque defends claim some priests have links with Reds

From the Journal Online (Jul 4): Roque defends claim some priests have links with Reds

“IT’S not fake news.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stood by his claim that some Catholic Church leaders are conniving with communist rebels to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

Roque earlier drew criticism from the outspoken Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo after saying that the idea of communist rebels and Catholic leaders joining forces to oust the president was not far-fetched.

Pabillo dared Roque to identify Church leaders who may be involved in an alleged ouster plot against the President.

Roque said his claim was not “fake news”, but he still failed to name even a single Church leader who could be involved in an oust Duterte plot.

He stressed that the communist party has a proven history of penetrating any institution just to advance its interests.
“Hindi po fake news iyan; iyan po ay kasaysayan. Napakatanda na po ng CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army), it’s the world longest insurgency. Ang konsepto po talaga ng mga Maoist ay iyon din ang konsepto ng National Democratic Front eh talagang papasukin nila ang iba’t ibang institusyon ‘no. Kaya po ang sa akin, iyan po ay isang panawagan, isang babala,” Roque told radio dzRH.

“Matuto naman po tayo sa kasaysayan. Huwag magbulag-bulagan at huwag nating… kunwaring hindi alam kung paano gumalaw ang CPP-NPA.”

Roque added he is standing by his earlier statement that some Church leaders could be joining forces with communist rebels because of their similar dislike for the President, who has recently ramped up his tirades against the Church and its teachings.

For Pabillo, Roque’s statement only exposes the “insecurity” of the Duterte administration.

“That only shows how insecure they are. They are so blinded by their fears and their bias that they cannot see their mistakes. They deflect on others their inefficiencies,” the prelate added.

http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/roque-defends-claim-some-priests-have-links-with-reds