
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) – Vice President Sara Duterte made it clear that she disagrees with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s amnesty grant to current and former members of rebel groups, as well as the resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
In a video statement published on her Facebook page to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the founding of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday, she asked Marcos to review his administration’s moves in pursuiing peace.
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Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the Marcos administration and the NDFP had signed a joint communique in Oslo, Norway on Nov. 23, agreeing to “a principled and peaceful resolution” to the armed conflict.
While in favor of initiatives which seek peace in the country, Duterte said the grant of amnesty was not a way to do so.
“Ang dapat nating gawin ay ipagpatuloy ang ating mga nasimulan sa NTF-ELCAC at mas palakasin pa ang mga ito. Panalo na tayo, lumalaban na ang mga komunidad,” she said.
[Translation: What we should be doing is continuing what the NTF-ELCAC has started and strengthen this. We’ve already won, the communities are fighting.]
She described the Oslo communique with the NDFP as an “agreement with the devil.”
“Napatunayan na natin sa kasaysayan na hindi sila seryoso at wala silang sinseridad sa usaping pangkapayapaan. Gagamitin nila itong peace negotiation sa pagtraydor sa pamahalaan at paglinlang sa taumbayan,” Duterte continued.
[Translation: History has proven that they are not serious and insincere on the subject of peace. They will use this peace negotiation to betray the government and deceive the people.”
Addressing Marcos, she said: “We appeal to your power to review these proclamations and agreements…Mr. President, we can negotiate for peace and reconciliation and pursue meaningful development efforts in the Philippines without capitulating to the enemies.”
This isn’t the first time Duterte spoke out against a decision of the Marcos administration. In November, she said she was against the government’s decision to study the Philippines’ possible return to the International Criminal Court.
The vice president’s disapproval of the administration’s initiatives comes amid rumors of cracks in the UniTeam – the alliance led by Marcos, Duterte, and their respective political dynasties.
Rumors of the rift gained traction following instances of political intrigue in the House. The lower chamber led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ first cousin, stripped Duterte of ₱650-million confidential fund under the proposed 2024 national budget.
READ: Romualdez: Uniteam still intact despite House row with Dutertes
The vice president’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, accused the House of corruption and even threatened the life of a lawmaker.
Meanwhile, there have also been rumors of lawmakers allegedly looking to file an impeachment complaint versus Duterte, but these were dismissed as “baseless” by House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe.















