February 07, 2017 – Press Briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella with Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Department of National Defense

Press Briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella with Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Department of National Defense

Press Briefing Room, New Executive Building, Malacañang

07 February 2016

OPENING STATEMENTS:

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Good morning.

Our guest for today is the 36^th Secretary of the Department of National Defense, Retired Major General Delfin Lorenzana.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’73. He earned his post graduate degree of Masters in Business Administration from the Ateneo.

In 2001, he served as the commander of the Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And from 2002 to 2004, he served as Defense and Armed Forces attaché.

After his post at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, he then served as the Special Presidential Representative for Veterans Affairs from 2004 to 2015.

He helped implement the Philippine campaign in securing veterans benefits for our soldiers who served in the US Army in the Second World War.

He was also awarded the Presidential Legion of Honor and the USA Legion of Merit.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

SEC. LORENZANA: Thank you, Secretary Ernie.

Good morning. My first foray into this area. Yeah, I’m here on the invitation of Secretary Abella to talk about current issues, especially the hottest issue now is the lifting of our ceasefire and the termination of the peace talks.

And with the instruction of the President that the ceasefire has been—or the peace talk has been terminated, then our soldiers have gone back in the — started preparing for the inevitable conflict, armed conflict with the CPP-NPA.

And, in fact, there were already sporadic skirmishes for the past two days, especially in Mindoro and also in Mindanao.

And so with that as a background, I am open for any questions.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer): Good morning, sir.

SEC. LORENZANA: Good morning.

Ms. Salaverria: Clarification lang, have you started actually arresting the freed consultants? Because according to them, wala pong formal notice of the termination of the peace talks. So can you actually move to arrest them?

SEC. LORENZANA: What could be more formal announcement of the termination of the peace talks than the statement of the President? Kung hinihintay nila siguro ‘yung black and white, ewan ko kung darating pa ‘yun.

But the fact is, the President came on national TV saying that wala na, tapos na ‘yung peace talks, I’m recalling all my people back home if they are abroad.

And he said that arestuhin daw ‘yung mga pinakawalan para makipag-usap sa gobyerno.

Now, have we started arresting them? No, we have not. But nagkataon lang na meron silang inaresto kahapon or the other day. A person in Toril was — who has a warrant of arrest for murder, eh nagkataon na kasama niya si Arbitrario, that was part of the negotiations last October.

Last October he was part of the — of the NDF negotiating panel, kasama siya. So nandiyan pa… We are still holding him now because we don’t know what to do with him. Kung pakawalan ba natin siya o hindi.

We are still awaiting some word from maybe from the Secretary of Justice or from Secretary Bello who is also a member of the government panel.

Ms. Salaverria: But, sir, have you given specific instructions to your men to arrest these consultants when you see them? May specific instructions po?

SEC. LORENZANA: Wala naman… Yes, in a way, yes I did, because we are just following the order of the President na ‘pag dumating sila dito, ‘pag nakita sila, they will be arrested.

That’s why I’ve talked to Secretary Dureza, sabi ko kung pwede ‘yung mga nandiyan they will turn themselves in so that they will be treated accordingly na hindi ‘yung habol-habulin sila.

Mabuti pa siguro dahil sa kung arestuhin sila, you should — better na i-turn in nila ‘yung sarili nila. Iyon din ang rekomendasyon ni General Año when he was apprised of the demand of the NDF that since — that they cannot be rearrested because of the JASIG.

But a while ago, I and Secretary Abella had been discussing this, I think they are not covered by the JASIG because according to the President, lahat ‘nong pinaka — they were set free for the purpose of talking, peace talks ay hindi naman JASIG ‘yung basis niyan for releasing them but for the peace talks.

But since the talks are already terminated, wala ng basis sila na, nasa — na free sila. So they could be arrested. That’s what I understand from the President’s — President’s instruction.

Ms. Salaverria: Sir, last na from me. Do you know if these consultants are already back in the Philippines specifically, the Tiamzons, do you know if they’re here?

SEC. LORENZANA: No, we do not, we do not. We do not know if they are already back home.

Reymund Tinaza (Bombo Radyo): Sec, good noon. Sir, may we know, I understand the President mentioned previously that he’s not authoritarian and he will get the feedback or recommendations from the government officials. I understand you and the other concerned officials mentioned last week that you will not recommend the lifting of the ceasefire. So may we know, sir, if — what could have been the basis or to whom did the President get the recommendation to finally lift the ceasefire?

SEC. LORENZANA: I think that was his own decision based on what happened on the ground. You remember when — during the anniversary of the 4^th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro. The guests were me and Secretary Dureza.

After the event, we went on television, when we were interviewed by the media and we agreed that, in fact, we came on… We said that we will recommend the continuance of our ceasefire because ang reasoning ko doon is that we should show the moral, ‘yung advantage, or ascendancy na kahit tumigil sila, ipagpatuloy natin.

Hoping that when our ceasefire continues then peace talks will continue also. That was noon time of February 1^st. Noong hapon na ‘yun, they killed three. Actually, murder ‘yon eh kasi 73 bullets ang tumama ang sa isang tao, sa isang sundalo.

And then they also abducted three more soldiers there in Caraga region and two in Sultan Kudarat. I think that broke camel’s back. Siguro na-ano na si Presidente and because of those sabi niya, namamatayan ako ng sundalo, ‘di itigil na lang natin.

I think that was the reason why he already came out and said, “Itigil na natin ‘yung talks, ‘yung peace talks. Umuwi na kayo dito.”

Mr. Tinaza: Sir, last two points. Sir, may na-receive na ba kayo na feelers from these 10 top NDF consultants for their surrender? And what could be the standing order if they resist arrest?

SEC. LORENZANA: It will be dependent on the people on the ground. Hindi na namin sasabihin kung anong gagawin nila.

They know what to do already. They’ve been doing this job for a long time.

But if there are feelers that they are going to surrender, we will accept them and we will treat them accordingly. Granting them special privileges because they are also, you know, they’ve been talking peace talks with us for quite some time already.

Dexter Ganibe (DZMM): Sec, good afternoon. Sir, balikan lang natin ‘yung nakaraan na ‘yung mga leaders ng CPP-NPA-NDF na pinakawalan, are they out dahil sa bail at may decision ang bawat korte sa kanilang pag-release. Tama po?

SEC. LORENZANA: Is that true? May bail at saka ano? Itong leaders ng… Those who were involved in the peace talks?

Mr. Ganibe: Yes, sir. And kung hindi ako nagkakamali, may mga sinet (set) ang korte na nagpapalabas sa kanila ng date kung hanggang kailan lang sila nakalabas, meron ngang noong nakaraan hanggang November lang ng 2016. Would you know kung ito ay na-extend o kung hanggang kailan ang extension nitong mga leader na nakalabas at may ginawa ba ang department para i-follow up kung nag-expire na ‘yung ibinigay ng korte sa kanila?

SEC. LORENZANA: No, I don’t know that. I have no knowledge of that. I’ll check in to that also.

Mr. Ganibe: Kasi, sir, kung ganon na, kung halimbawa binigyan sila ng korte na ma-extend ng hanggang March or hanggang April, maaari na ba silang arestuhin habang hawak nila ‘yung court decision na they can be out tempory until that?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, if they can show proof of that then I think we will honor that. We will honor any court order for that matter.

Ina Andolong (CNN Philippines): Sir, sinabi niyo kanina that you’re out to arrest the NPA consultants —

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, yes.

Ms. Andolong: But you said that Mr. Arbitrario, you don’t know what to do with him kaya hinawakan niyo muna. So ano po ba talaga? I thought you were out to arrest? So why are you not saying that he’s been arrested?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes. So in effect, he is now under arrest and we will now wait for some instruction from higher ups kung anong gagawin sa kanya.

Kung sinabi nila na meron silang palugit before they will be arrested, then we will follow whatever order comes from higher quarters.

Ms. Andolong: And just categorically, sir, they are placed under arrest for what itong si Mr. Arbitrario?

SEC. LORENZANA: Because kasama niya itong ano eh, kasama niya ’yung murderer. He was part — he was in the company of this guy who was being arrested for some crimes, kasama siya doon.

And nalaman na lang namin na siya pala si Arbitrario. Hindi naman kasi siya target eh. So kasama siya doon. So he’s being held now by the CIDG, ‘yung pulis sa Davao City.

And, anyway, we will resolve this soon kung anong gagawin sa kanya.

Ms. Andolong: Sir, you’re saying right now he’s not arrested for — upon the President’s directive because of — ?

SEC. LORENZANA: Hindi. Nasama lang siya doon sa arrest sa kasama niya, oo. Associating with the suspect sa murder siguro.

Ms. Andolong: So, sorry sir, but it’s contradictory to what you said that you’re also out to arrest the NPA consultants.

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah, kung makita namin sila, makita mo sila Tiamzon, then we will be arresting them kasi kilala namin sila Tiamzon eh, oo, oo.

Ms. Andolong: Sir, doon po sa sinabi niyo rin kanina that posibleng, nawala pa pong formal order. But didn’t you yourself ask for a formal order when the President actually verbally gave the directive to cancel the ceasefire?

SEC. LORENZANA: Gave me directive from, sa akin?

Ms. Andolong: Hindi, hindi. Noong inannounce po ng Pangulo verbally that he’s lifting the ceasefire before actually implementing that, I believe, sir, you sought a formal directive. So now that he’s saying that the peace talks are canceled, hindi na po kayo ganoon — I mean shouldn’t the same rule apply?

SEC. LORENZANA: Oo, kasi sinabi rin niya na I’ll have them arrested so we take that as an order already to us. Order na ‘yun eh.

Ms. Andolong: Okay. Thank you, sir.

Henry Uri (DZRH): Secretary, ikinokonsidera ba ninyo na malaking banta sa seguridad ang New People’s Army?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes. Malaking banta sila sa seguridad ng Pilipinas ‘yung New People’s Army dahil sa mga ginagawa nila sa mga barangays. Trying to consolidate barangays, threatening them, they continue to extort money from businessmen in the, especially in the south, ‘yung mga minahan diyan, plantations, any businessmen that they can — especially contractors, mga contractors ng mga kalsada. We know somebody has been paying two percent of their gross cost of their projects to the NPA.

So threat sila kasi they can, you know, they are there, they can always launch attacks to our troops. Nakita naman ninyo kung gaano sila atakihin ‘yung foresters diyan sa Batangas. Pinasok nila ‘yung isang resort diyan under the guise of the military. Ito ‘yung kinakatakutan namin diyan sa Defense at saka sa AFP that they can just go inside an area, do their thing and then just get away and then melt into the countryside. So they are a threat actually.

Mr. Uri: Sa mga malalayong lugar lalo ho sa mga liblib na lugar, itong mga NPA na ito kadalasang tumutuloy lalo ‘pag gabi sa mga bahay-bahay ng mga inosenteng sibilyan na wala hong magawa kundi tanggapin sila pagkat sila’y natatakot din. Paano ho kaya ito? Ano ho ang gagawin ng mga sibilyang ‘yun para hindi ho sila mailagay sa palad ng alanganin, Secretary?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, they will continue to do what they’ve been doing to accommodate these people dahil wala naman silang magagawa.

Kung tinanggihan nila, baka naman sila ay masaktan o magawan sila ng hindi maganda. So be hospitable, ‘yun naman ang ating ugaling Pilipino. Eh kung merong gustong makituloy sa atin, we will let them in for a while.

Kaya lang kung minsan itong mga taong ‘to, palagi na lang tumutuloy doon at nahihirapan din ‘yung mga barangay. Kaya nga meron tayong mga project, ‘yung barangay programs natin kaya ‘yung mga tropa natin pumupunta sa barangay to look into the conditions of the barangay people, find out what they need and then maybe bring the government.

Kwan na ‘yan, mga grupo ng government na ‘yan, local government officials, DOH to bring services to the barangay. Ito ‘yung mga ina-accuse kami ng NPA na encroaching on the barangays na allegedly controlled nila, 500 daw ito all over the country.

But I think it’s not true that they control this barangay dahil kung siguro kung mag-referendum tayo sa mga barangay nila, they will be rejected by the barangay people. Takot lang sila kaya akala nila controlled nila.

Mr. Uri: Wala ho ba kayong planong buhayin ‘yung CHDF, ‘yung civilian home defense force?

SEC. LORENZANA: Ah wala na kasi medyo masama ‘yung nangyari sa CHDF noon. It was abused by the local officials, kung sino mang nag-aano doon and they were used to further ends of some people.

Ito ngayong ginagawa natin ‘yung CAFGU, is a very good system ito, good idea ito. It’s a good plan to get — to pull together people, ‘yung mga able-bodied men sa mga barangays and they control ‘yung… Kokontrolin pa rin ‘yan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, meron silang cadre to control their actions and they can secure their barangays. Iyon ang ating gagawin siguro to —

Mr. Uri: So, Secretary, linawin lang namin. Ang sinasabi ninyo, pwedeng patuluyin paminsan-minsan lang ‘yung mga NPA sa mga bahay-bahay pero kung ito ho ay madalas na, kailangan na hong isumbong sa inyo. Ganoon ho ba?

SEC. LORENZANA: Kahit na isang beses lang, pwede na isumbong sa amin para malaman namin ang mga ginagawa ng mga NPA sa barangay.

Hindi ko naman sinasabing patuluyin niyo tuloy-tuloy, it’s just call ‘yan. It’s the call of the household kung patuluyin nila o hindi. Bahala, it’s just their call.

Benjie Liwanag (DZBB): Good afternoon, sir.

SEC. LORENZANA: Good afternoon.

Mr. Liwanag: Sir, tinawag po ng Pangulong “terorista” itong grupo ng New People’s Army. Well, on the part of the Defense Department, inano na po ba ninyo, all-out war with this terrorist group?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, it is an all-out war kasi they are considered by the President already as terrorists. We also consider them as terrorists.

Ano bang pagkakaiba nila sa Abu Sayyaf? The Abu Sayyaf kidnap people and then they get money. The NPA will threaten those businessmen and also get money.

There’s no difference at all. They are there to terrorize people, to giving them money, that’s extortion. So we will hunt them down and maybe stop them from doing what they are doing.

Mr. Liwanag: Sir, pinaparatangan din kayo kasi ‘yung IPSP Bayanihan tapos na. Meron kayong Phase II on this IPSP which is iba naman ‘yung pangalan. Ito raw po ‘yung ginagamit na front ng Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Defense Department para lalo silang labanan. Ano po ang masasabi ninyo rito, Secretary?

SEC. LORENZANA: These are actually legitimate plans ano. Ito ginawa namin ng Armed Forces to Defense para tulungan ‘yung mga barangay. Iyong IPSP na ‘yon, ‘yung Bayanihan na ‘yan, is a very good program actually.

In fact, the NPA resisted this IPSP all over the country. Iyong sa Samar nga, ang sumbong sa akin ng gubernador, sabi niya, hindi makapasok ‘yung IPSP kung walang sundalo kasi nga the NPA there, the NPA people there are also trying to resist ‘yung inroads ng IPSP.

Ngayon, meron kaming bagong program that replaced IPSP Bayanihan. Ang tawag namin [anong tawag doon?]

“Kapayapaan” — ‘di ko lang alam ‘yung pangalan niyan. But this is still to bring the social services to — closer to the Filipino people, sa mga barangays, especially mga far-flung barangays.

Mr. Liwanag: Sir, mamaya Cabinet meeting, kung matatanong kayo, are you in favor of back-channeling dito sa — with the rebel groups? Ano po ang masasabi ninyo?

SEC. LORENZANA: Oh yes, I am in favor. Anything that will further peace in our country, I am in favor of that.

Mr. Liwanag: Thank you very much, sir.

Joseph Morong (GMA 7): Sir, magandang hapon ho.

SEC. LORENZANA: Magandang hapon naman.

Mr. Morong: Sir, if it wasn’t… I don’t know if I caught you correctly ‘no, but you said that it wasn’t the JASIG that was the basis for the release of the consultants?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah, that’s what I know.

Mr. Morong: If it wasn’t the JASIG, sir, what was the basis of the —

SEC. LORENZANA: I think the basis for that is I think the government went to the Justice Department and asked for, ano ‘yan eh, mabigyan sila ng bail to go out and meet with the government panel for the peace talks abroad.

Mr. Morong: But not under the regime of the JASIG, sir?

SEC. LORENZANA: I don’t think so. I don’t think the JASIG —

Mr. Morong: Why so, sir?

SEC. LORENZANA: I do not know. I do not know why.

Mr. Morong: Okay.

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah.

Mr. Morong: The reason I asked is if they are being, if they’re going to be arrested, what will be the basis po?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, for crimes that they were charged before.

Mr. Morong: You are going to re-file the case, sir?

SEC. LORENZANA: Remember the Tiamzon couple was actually under detention for crimes against the Republic, whatever inciting rebellion, whatever.

Hindi ko alam yung specific charge. So hindi naman nawala ‘yung kasalanan nila, hindi naman sila binigyan ng amnesty.

They were not given amnesty to get out or to be released on amnesty. Wala ‘yon eh or pardon whatever.

So kung wala na ‘yung basis ng kanilang temporary liberty, so they will be — they should be going back to the under the custody of the government.

Mr. Morong: Meaning, cancelled bail po?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah, kasi sinabi ni Presidente cancelled na ‘yung kanilang ano, they will be arrested again.

Mr. Morong: Has the Department of Justice, sir, informed the local courts?

SEC. LORENZANA: I don’t know. They have not I am not familiar of that.

Mr. Morong: Sir, okay. Sir, just last one. The President calling the NPA and their members “terrorists”, sir. This is just rhetoric or does it have an effect in law in terms of activating the Human Security Act? Meaning, we can go after the supporters of the NPA not only of the core leaders and all that?

SEC. LORENZANA: Hindi pa namin pinag-usapan iyon. Hindi pa namin pinag-usapan. Maybe later on when we talk to him again — with the President again.

Marlon Ramos (Philippine Daily Inquirer): Magandang tanghali po, Secretary. Now that you have declared an all-out war against the NPAs, will you be deploying more soldiers to go after the communist insurgents?

SEC. LORENZANA: No, because some of the soldiers that were [inaudible] before were brought to Basilan and Jolo, in Central Mindanao. I think we have sufficient troops naman sa ground in Caraga, Southern Mindanao and other places to address this issue. Meron pa naman tayong tropa doon.

And if we can maybe if there is a need we may be transferring other troops from Luzon to areas that need these troops more.

Mr. Ramos: Sir, in the past ‘yung all-out war ng government against the NPAs had been marred by human rights abuses. Ngayon po can you assure the public, the Filipino people this time — ?

SEC. LORENZANA: We will see to it that those abuses will not be committed again. It is bad for the image of the military.

Alam mo nawawalan ng kredibilidad ‘yung military pagka umaabuso sila. And we try to avoid that. I have been a commander before on the ground and I really do not want — did not want these pe[ople] — prevent my people from doing those.

I really punish them, discharge them or bring them to court kung meron gumagawa ng ganoon.

Mr. Ramos: Sir, kanina po binanggit ninyo po, you have already spoken with Secretary Dureza. Did you also seek out Secretary Bello, the lead government negotiator?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah I was trying to call him a while ago when I was coming here pero hindi ko siya ma-contact.

I think his phone is also very busy. Mukhang marami rin siyang kinakausap but I’ll talk to him again after this.

Mr. Ramos: Sir, last na ito. Sir, earlier po binanggit ninyo ‘yung arrest ni Arbitrario. Was he arrested by the soldiers, by the military officers?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah, na-checkpoint siya doon sa Toril eh. Na-checkpoint siya dahil ano… But itong, anyway, ang naka-checkpoint naman sa kanya mga pulis at saka — joint eh, joint checkpoint ng police at saka army.

Kaya ko nalaman dahil ‘yung nakahuli nag-report kaagad sa akin. Sabi niya, “Sir, meron kaming nahuli rito one was accused of — arrest for murder — pero may kasama siya, ‘yon nga si Arbitrario.

Sabi ko, “Okay, let’s hold him first and we will seek clarification if he should be arrested or not.” But since meron ng order si Presidente na arestuhin ‘yung mga leaders ng kabila na nakipag-usap sa panel natin, hawakan ninyo muna and we will get some direction from higher headquarters.

Mr. Ramos: Sir, how do you respond to insinuations that the military is out to actually sabotage the peace negotiations between the CPP and the government panel?

SEC. LORENZANA: No, we did not. In fact, we…Alam ninyo me, I really want peace ano. I’ve been fighting this since I was a lieutenant in 1973. Hanggang nag-retire ako, hanggang ngayon, retired na ako na matagal, I’m still — we are still here.

We want peace. We do not want to sabotage. We support the peace process that was initiated by the President, suporta kami diyan.

We were not…We are not sabotaging. Iyong accusation ni Mr. Jalandoni na rubout daw ‘yung tatlo, it’s not true. Because the day after, Alan Juanito, the spokesperson of the North Central Committee ng NPA went on media. Sabi niya, they were the ones who accosted the three, three soldiers riding in two motorcycles at nanlaban daw kaya nila pinagbabaril ‘di ba.

But these people are only armed with 45, security nila eh. And I know for a fact that a lot of soldiers were accosted by NPA before na hindi naman sila lumaban eh kung wala silang laban.

Maraming na-hostage ang NPA noon, in the past. In fact for the past couple of days, marami silang hinostage. Hindi nanlalaban ang sundalo ‘pag alam nilang NPA ang ano, they will not. They will just surrender because they know they will be returned sometime in the future.

But to be shot more than 60 times per soldier? That’s too much. Sila. And now here comes Mr. Jalandoni saying na parang rubout daw para masabotage ‘yung peace talks, that’s I think, very ingenious for him to say that.

Pia Ranada (Rappler): Good afternoon, sir. Sir, just to set the record straight, were you recommending to the President that he maintain the government ceasefire? Because I remember there was a joint statement between you and Sec. Dureza, that you both recommend —

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, we did, we did.

Ms. Ranada: So, sir, why did you recommend it? And what do you feel now that the President decided against your advice?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, kaya namin nirekomenda…Nag-usap kami ni Secretary Dureza, ang sabi niya, mabuti siguro i-recommend natin na mag-establish tayo ng ceasefire natin. Huwag na tayo muna ano, mag-lift ng ceasefire so that we maintain ‘yung ating advantage over the CPP-NPA.

Iyan ang aming sinabi sa media, we are recommending. In fact, the same recommendation was transmitted by Secretary Dureza to the President through text.

But I believe that the President was willing to continue with the ceasefire if not for that incident ‘yung pinatay ‘yung tatlong sundalo.

Iyon kasi ‘yung parang naging last straw na ano, “niloloko ninyo ako eh”. “Hindi pa effective ‘yung ceasefire niyo, pumapatay na kayo ng mga sundalo.”

One lieutenant in Davao Oriental, then three soldiers here. Tapos kidnapping goes on, burning of equipment goes on. Walang patid ‘yan.

Agaw ng mga baril dito sa Batangas, continuous sila when the ceasefire is still in effect ‘no.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, from the time that the NPA announced it was lifting its ceasefire to the time that the President announced he was lifting the government ceasefire, would you know who he consulted with in those two days?

SEC. LORENZANA: I don’t think the President will consult any of us na sasabihin na, tatanungin pa. Nakikita naman niya ‘yung nangyayari eh.

He gets reports first-hand, second-hand, or whatever. Palaging pumupunta, maraming nagre-report sa kanya.

I report to him, the intelligence people report to him, the local officials report to him and all maybe the Cabinet members who are knowledgeable about what’s happening on the ground report to him.

So I think he — hindi na kailangan na mangonsulta pa siya. He knows what’s happening on the ground. You know he has been hands-on when he was a mayor.

In fact, I remember when I was the battalion commander in Davao City when he was first — when he first won as a mayor, he went around almost everyday sa mga barangay. Ganun siya ka-hands-on. And he knows what’s happening on the ground.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, would you know if anyone from the CPP reached out to him in a last ditch effort to save the — to maintain the government ceasefire?

SEC. LORENZANA: I don’t know, wala, hindi ko alam. Sorry.

Ted Tuvera (Daily Tribune): Sir, good afternoon po. Sir, una po, kasi usually ‘pag pumupunta si Presidente sa mga kampo at lagi niya sinasabi sa mga speeches niya na alam niyang may mga sundalo na hindi in favor doon sa pakikipag-usap niya sa, pakikipag-kaibigan niya sa mga komunista. Sir, kasi kine-claim ngayon ng ibang mga left-wing groups na the military pressured him na talikuran ‘yung pakikipag-usap, ‘yung peace talks sa mga, sa CPP-NPA. How do you react to this, sir?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah, I heard that also. Kasi kung minsan katabi niya ko, sinasabi niya na, “Baka ayaw ninyo itong gagawin ko…”

But it’s not true. We support him. We support whatever he does. He’s the Commander-in-Chief. Lahat ‘yan. I don’t… I have not heard any soldier or officer said na, “Sir, mali ‘yang ginagawa ni Presidente.” No, I have not heard that. They support everything that he said, you know.

Siguro ano lang ‘yan parang… I think he’s just saying na, “I’m doing something that might be unacceptable to some of you…” Pero hindi eh. It’s just ano lang siguro niya ‘yun, haka-haka lang niya ‘yun, na he’s just playing safe also that baka merong mga nag-o-oppose sa kanya, but no.

The AFP is solidly behind him whatever he does, especially sa peace process. Now that he has lifted the — he has stopped the peace talks, we also support him.

Mr. Tuvera: Sir, another question. Kasi you’re saying na you are launching an all-out war against the NPA. Nagin… Ito na po ‘yung laging sinasabi ng AFP years before the — many administrations ago na back na sinasabi nilang they will finish the NPA, may target po kayo, sir, na tapusin or — ?

SEC. LORENZANA: No. I think ‘yung all-out war na ‘yan has become overuse word “all-out war”. Hindi naman… I think the all-out war is — if you look at the proper definition of all-out war that was used by some armies before, all-out war is pati ‘yung support nila patayin mo ‘yan.

When during the American Civil War eh pati ‘yung mga farmers na ‘yan sinunog lahat ‘yung mga barns diyan para walang support ‘yung kalaban eh. We are not going into that.

Ang sinasabi nilang all-out war is to — targetin na namin ‘yung mga armed component. Hindi naman namin tatargetin ‘yung mga peaceful-loving supporters diyan na nag-aano, nagfa-farming. We will not… Hindi naman sila gagalawin. It’s only the armed component that we are going after because they are the ones who can go around and intimidate people, ‘yung mga may armas.

Mr. Tuvera: Pero, sir, may target po kayo, sir, kung kelan?

SEC. LORENZANA: I’m not going to give any target because cautioned na tayo diyan eh. Because just been said many times before na wala namang nangyari.

Mr. Tuvera: Sir, last from my part. Sir, kasi mamaya may Cabinet meeting and they were recommendees by the NDF, DSWD at saka si DAR Secretary. Sir, would you recommend na i-bar na sila from joining the Cabinet?

SEC. LORENZANA: No. No. Personally, I believe they are doing their job very well. Si Taguiwalo, si Mariano. I believe they are doing very well. And I… Meron silang passion on what they are doing and that’s what we need in the Cabinet. People who are passionate on what they do.

And wala naman akong nakitang mali sa kanilang ginagawa eh. They’re doing what they… At least in the support of what the government wants, what the President wants.

Andreo Calonzo (Bloomberg): Hi, sir, quick clarification lang po. Sir, how big is the force sa the NPA now?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, according to the Armed Forces, siguro mga about 5,000 armed component ‘yan all over the country.

Mr. Calonzo: Sir, zoom out lang po ako big picture. It was only six months ago that the President devoted the last part of his SONA calling for a ceasefire peace with the communist and now here we are, walked away from the peace talks and then lifted the truce. Sir, are you satisfied with the direction the President is taking and how would you assess his performance over the past six months as Commander-in- Chief?

SEC. LORENZANA: He was actually…He did very well as a Commander-in-Chief and President. Kasi very focused siya sa kanyang ginagawa, war on drugs and also the…

The peace process is actually one of his campaign promises to talk to the rebels. Kaya nga he was very intent on pursuing the peace process with the CPP-NPA.

Ngayon, sa tingin ko, he was very disappointed with other sides because without giving anything, they keep asking for concessions from the President.

Nakawala iyong mga leaders nila, talk was already going on. And some of the people that he wanted to be released, ni-release na ‘yung mga elderly at saka ‘yung mga sickly.

But, you know, ang sabi ni Presidente, if you want the 400 people to be released, then give me something. Bilateral ceasefire lang naman ang hinihingi yata niya eh, ni Presidente. Bilateral ceasefire at may mechanism to check ‘yung mga violations ng both sides ‘di ba? Because ‘yung unilateral kasi walang check and balance ‘yan eh. Parang sa amin ito, sa inyo ‘yan.

What the — our panel was trying to get during these coming talks sana is a bilateral ceasefire with all the mechanisms so that people implement it on the ground. Iyon lang ang hinihingi ni Presidente, ayaw nilang ibigay. But they want the 400 plus people to be released immediately.

But sabi ni Presidente, “I’m not going to do that because maubusan na ako ng baraha.” Parang pag-naubos… Ang sabi niya, “Anong kasiguruhan ko na after mai-release ko ’yung 400 plus ipagpatuloy pa rin nila ‘yung peace talks?”

None. Because the other side has not given us some semblance of siguro sincerity na gusto talaga nilang ipagpatuloy ‘yung peace talks.

Rose Novenario: Good afternoon, sir. Sir, ano po ‘yung… Maliban po sa military action suportado po ba ng Department of National Defense ‘yung socioeconomic reforms at political reforms na isinusulong po sa peace talks?

SEC. LORENZANA: Hindi ko pa kasi nakita kung ano ‘yung mga isinusulong nila eh. But if it benefits our country and our people, I would — we would support it, why not?

Ms. Novenario: Ay since, follow up question po. Since sa February 10 pa po ang effectivity ‘nung lifting ng unilateral ceasefire ng CPP-NPA, may nakikita po ba kayong posibilidad na maaari pa pong magkasundo muli at bumalik sa nego table para pag-usapan ‘yung bilateral ceasefire agreement?

SEC. LORENZANA: Oh yes, because hindi pa naman isinasara ni Presidente ‘yung pintuan eh. Sabi niya, “If there is compelling reason to go back to the peace process, then will go back.” So hindi sarado. Hindi naman ito itinaga sa bato na hindi pwede, hindi eh.

So it is… The government is open. That’s what I see in the pronouncement of the President when he said, “If there is compelling reason to go back to the negotiating table, then we’ll go back.”

Ms. Novenario: Thank you po.

Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star): Secretary, balikan ko lang ‘yung sa Cabinet members associated with the left because Oplan Kapayaan involves the delivery of basic services to our people. But then some of these people associated with the left are involved in these services ‘yung DSWD, agrarian reform. Do you think may effect ‘yung nangyaring ito doon sa delivery ng services?

SEC. LORENZANA: Well, if they keep on delivering the services to the people and helping the government, I don’t see any reason why they cannot continue.

Mr. Romero: So you don’t see them you know?

SEC. LORENZANA: I don’t see them as a threat actually.

Mr. Romero: Tuloy pa ‘yung kanilang service despite this development?

SEC. LORENZANA: Tuloy pa rin ‘yon. Right.

Mr. Romero: Okay. Iyong 5,000 po na binanggit ninyo kanina. Previously or years back I think the AFP already claimed that the strength of the NPA is down to around 4,000 na lang. But then you said now its 5,000? Why did it increase?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yeah. Ano eh katulad noong nakaraan, mayroon na naman silang nakuhang baril diyan sa Batangas, increase na naman ‘yung armed component nila.

We are looking at the armed component lang ‘yan eh. So we can also acquire firearms anywhere by buying or by ‘yung ginagawa nilang agaw armas.

And we still have those losses in our inventory. So lumalaki ‘yan. Lumiliit lumalaki depende sa mga armas na nakukuha nila.

Mr. Romero: May surge ba ng recruitment ng NPA?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, they were. Noong nag-ceasefire tayo meron silang surge ng mga recruitment. That’s what we heard from our people on the ground.

Kaya nga hindi nila malaman for a while kung anong gagawin nila. “Sir, ano bang gagawin namin? Naka-istambay kami, samantalang ‘yung kabila naman panay ang recruit nila sa mga barangays.”

Sabi ko, “Just continue with what you are doing, law enforcement operations ninyo diyan, or go after the lawless elements ‘yung mga magnanakaw whatever crimes sa mga petty crimes diyan tulungan natin ‘yung mga pulis.”

Mr. Romero: So it is safe to say that the issue of the peace process is being used to or being taken advantage to recruit?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, yes they use that. It is true. It was proven in Davao, in Davao Oriental, talagang ganoon ang ginawa nila. We get a lot of text from the tribal leaders, nandito iniipon kami in the guise of talking about the peace process but iyon pala ang mga NPA pala ang kaharap nila, hindi naman military.

Mr. Morong: Sir, ‘di ba nanghihingi kayo kay Presidente ng order para to run after the rouge cops? Meron na?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes because ang kuwan ko diyan… My concern is that the Armed Forces is not clothed, legally clothed to enforce ‘yung ano ba, law enforcement duties. Wala kaming ano eh, wala kaming police powers eh. So we cannot arrest people eh.

Mr. Morong: So, sir, humihingi ba kayo or talagang wala ng pag-asa ‘yung — ?

Sec. Lorenzana: Humihingi pa kami. I think the Executive Secretary is coming up with some executive order to cover that.

Henry Uri: Sir, isa na lang kasi kanina binanggit ho ninyo yun all-out war tapos doon sa tanong ni Rose sabi ninyo open pa rin ang government. Ano ho talaga may all-out war ba tayo o wala?

Sec. Lorenzana: I think the all-out war sabi ko nga kanina is overused term na we should not be using. Ang all-out war kasi na ‘yan is walang kang kukunin, no prisoners, everything, we’ll destroy along your path. Parang lahat ng daanan mo ‘yan destroyed ‘yan, iyan ang all-out war.

Sa army — sa military naman, we are just going after the armed component of the New People’s Army. Iyon lang may armas na pwede nilang gamiting pang-gulo.

Mr. Uri: So normal military operations against them?

SEC. LORENZANA: Yes, yes.

Mr. Uri: No all-out war?

SEC. LORENZANA: No all-out war.

I’ll go back, I’ll go back I correct, correct myself kasi kayo nag-unang sumabi ng all-out war, ‘yung sa kabila…

Mr. Ramos: Other issues…

SEC. LORENZANA: Iyong all-out war natin is for the armed component lang. It’s still all-out war for the armed component. Hindi ‘yung all-out war, the real meaning of all- out war is lahat, pati civilian kuwan ‘yan, kuha ‘yan.

Mr. Ramos: There’s all-out war against the NPA?

SEC. LORENZANA: Against the armed component.

Mr. Ramos: Sir, ‘yung ano lang…Sir, ‘yung kuwan lang ‘yung huli pong press con natin doon sa Malacañang po noong isang lingo. Where in the President disclosed that the US forces are unloading arms? Ano po ba talaga ‘yung totoo?

SEC. LORENZANA: I think he was…Ewan ko kung saan nakuha ni Presidente ‘yung information niya but I corrected it. I talked to him sabi ko, “Mr. President, first, there was no construction yet sa mga EDCA camps.” Wala pa eh.

It will be constructed sometime later this year or next year. Pangalawa ka ko, “It’s not allowed sa ating agreement.” There will be no stockpiling of weapons or anything that could be used for war games.

‘Pag pumunta sila rito, they can use the facilities, mga barracks. They would put up kasi ‘yung barracks na malaki na pwede rin nating gamitin. Joint use ito eh. And then they will put up parang ‘yung fuel tank para sa mga gamit nilang eroplano at saka ‘yung mga vehicles nila.

Now, most of the equipment that will be bringing here are for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Iyong mga rubber boats—alam niyo na ‘yung mga gagamitin natin.

And they are strategically located around the country. Isa, along the airport; isa, dito sa Magsaysay, then diyan sa may sa Palawan. Because these are the areas na magagamit natin kung nandoon ‘yung mga sakuna or mga calamities, they can easily use those equipment, that will be used there, oo.

Iyon lang. When they come here for exercise, they will bring their riffles and their ammunition for firing. When they leave, they will bring all those weapons with them back to the United States and leave — ‘yung barracks lang at saka ‘yung mga equipment na pwede nilang iwanan dito na gagamitin nila next time na pumunta sila rito, or if there are calamities that we are addressing.

Mr. Ramos: But moments before that Secretary you were with the President in a command conference. So hindi po ‘yun napag-usapan?

SEC. LORENZANA: Hindi nga, hindi namin napag-usapan ‘yon. Because from the command conference, we went up sa upper floor ng Malacañang and we were sitting beside each other. And bigla na lang lumabas ‘yung statement ni Presidente na ganoon. But a couple of days later I corrected it with him. Ang sabi niya, “okay.”

So I actually asked his decision kung ituloy pa natin ‘yung EDCA na construction or not? Sabi niya, “Sige, ituloy natin pero be sure na walang mga i-stockpiling ng mga ammunition diyan.

Mr. Ramos: Did the President believe your information?

SEC. LORENZANA: I think he did.

Mr. Ramos: Thank you, sir, thank you po.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Good morning, shifting the attention. PAG-ASA gets two Doppler radars for Cagayan and Samar, which will be used for—which will be helpful and be used for monitoring and locating weather systems.

Also PRRD’s micro fund program to pilot-run this month from the DTI. We commend the Department of Trade and Industry in addressing the government’s concern to get rid of “5-6” money lending system by launching the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Program (P3) in the provinces of Mindanao, Sarangani and Leyte.

The amounts will be ranging from 5,000 to 300,000, which can be accessed by entrepreneurs, 26 percent per annum with no collateral requirements.

Also, a Japanese bank is bullish on the Philippines. We are pleased by the bullish outlook expressed by the Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Japan’s largest bank on the Philippine economy.

Ms. Ranada: Good afternoon. Sir, just on the speech of the President last night when he said that he had a check up with his heart condition. And then later on, Secretary Martin Andanar said that it was just a story. What is the official word of the Palace on that, and is there more of an explanation of what is exactly happened yesterday?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Let’s go by what Sec. Martin said.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, no more other details, aside from that one line?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Except that he said that he feels whatever — any 72-year-old feels. So let’s go by that, nothing dramatic.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, does the…Is the President made aware that his public statements about his health generate a lot of interest and so media will really write about what he says about his health especially when he doesn’t indicate that he was joking?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: So your question is?

Ms. Ranada: Has he been made aware of the interest his statements about his health generate?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: He is generally aware of the interest that his statements made.

Ms. Ranada: Has he been told the consequences of him making jokes like that, about his health?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, like he said, he has been informed several times like, for example, that he should read his statements, he should read his speeches, because as he said, in his own words, he does tend to get emotional.

But, yes, he is generally aware of the interest that his statements make. Next question, please. Thank you.

Mr. Ranada: So, sir, was there any checkup done yesterday. Categorically, checkup or not?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, like I said, categorically, let’s go by what Sec. Martin said, okay.

Ms. Ranada: But it was very vague, sir.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: It was very?

Ms. Ranada: It’s a very vague… I mean just a story.

Mr. Morong: There was no checkup?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I will not say those things. All I’m saying is that, let’s go by what Sec. Martin said, all right, thank you.

Cai Ordinario (Business Mirror): Sir, just want to ask regarding the tax…

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Regarding the tax…

Ms. Ordinario: Tax of idle lands, increasing the tax on idle lands. Is that going to be part of a priority legislation from the Duterte administration will be included in the LEDAC? Or will the President just really sign an executive order?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Okay, I think that question will be better answered by Sec. Sonny Dominguez, whom we expect to be here sometime this week or next week, okay, all right.

Ms. Ordinario: Sir, also regarding the Cabinet meeting later, what will be the agenda?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I don’t have the list here right now. But it’s household duty—household keeping, household keeping.

JP Bencito (Manila Standard): Hi, sir, good afternoon. Sir, on the pronouncements of Secretary Gina Lopez to suspend and closure of mines, sir. Sir, do we support the pronouncement of the Secretary not to release the audit reports, which became her basis to suspend, close the mining?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think that can be better addressed after this—this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting. Okay, thank you.

Mr. Bencito: Okay, sir, kasama po siya sa agenda, sir?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Kasama siya si?

Mr. Bencito: Kasama ‘yung mining sa agenda?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think she’ll be…Either she’s part of it already or there’ll come under other matters.

Mr. Bencito: Okay, sir, last na lang po, ‘yung balik lang ako sa peace talks. Sir, there were agreements that were signed during the third round of peace talks.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Yes.

Mr. Bencito: Will we honor ‘yung mga lahat ng napirmahan doon sa third round?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Again, that should be referred to the Cabinet meeting this afternoon, thank you.

Mr. Bencito: Thank you, sir.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Those are matters have greater importance than my opinion, thank you.

Rosalie Coz (UNTV): Peace talks rin po, sir, good afternoon po.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Yes.

Ms. Coz: Sir, I’ve been po… Last night nag-meet po ang government peace panel para po mag-rekomenda kay Pangulong Duterte kung ipu-pursue ‘yun pong peace talks. Nakarating na po ba kung ano ‘yung recommendation ng government peace panel?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Hindi pa po.

Ms. Coz: Okay po, isa po sa mga napagkasunduan ng government peace panel at NDFP noon pong peace talks sa Rome noon pong August ay kapag po magdi-disengage sa peace talks ay dapat pong may formal notification from the government na dapat pong sundin ng magkabilang panig. Ang reaksyon po ng Malakanyang doon since tumanggi na ang Pangulo na magbigay ng formal notification po?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Ewan ko po kung tumanggi ang Pangulo na magbibigay ng formal announcement but in the words of Sec. Del Lorenzana, his statement should suffice as a formal statement. Thank you.

Mr. Morong: Sir, short question. Iyon pong peace talks, pag-uusapan sa Cab meeting later ‘no?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think it will be — may be touched on, yes.

Mr. Morong: Sir, itong declaration ni President na he’s terminating the peace talks? How is this going to affect the status of the left-leaning Cabinet members?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, as Sec. Del said, as far as we are concerned, up to this point, they are part of the Cabinet.

Mr. Morong: Okay. Sir, last one. If you’re going to rearrest sila Tiamzon and all the other consultants, what’s going to be the basis?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Okay. As informed by Office of the ES early this morning, the rearrest order of the panel who were previously under detention and provisionally released to join the peace talks will be issued by the courts. Okay? Which allowed them to go.

So basically this is now under the jurisdiction of the courts. So the DOJ will be the one to invoke the court to cancel bail.

Ms. Salaverria: Sir, the President said he could resume the peace talks if there’s a compelling reason.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: He did mention something like that, yes.

Ms. Salaverria: What does he have in mind? What could these compelling reasons be that would prompt him to–?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: It will have to come from him whatever the compelling reason will be.

But definitely, it will have to be matters that have to do with the interest of the nation.

Mr. Ganibe: Sir, follow up lang doon sa statement ng Pangulo na kinokonsidera ng terrorist group… Does it follow ‘yung action dahil mga teroristang grupo ‘yung pagfi-freeze sa mga assets and bank accounts ‘nong mga members ‘nong idineklarang terrorist group?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, those are details that will have to be discussed. Okay. It’s a general picture.

What the President has given is a general picture that he considers them as terrorist groups. All the other details will have to follow.

Tina Mendez (The Philippine Star): As a follow up, sir, can you please clarify the classification of the NPA right now? If I recall it right, during the time of President Arroyo, that the NPA was declared a terrorist organization. So ano ba, was it lifted or was it removed during the peace talks?

So that’s why they were able to go and they were given provisional conduct passes and they were able to join.

Now, that was given as a court order, if and when — if and when then that is revoked, then they revert back to their terrorist status.

I mean to the… I do not call it revert but they will… As the President has said, he considers them as a terrorist group.

Ms. Mendez: But the NPA remained as a terror organization nonetheless?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: All throughout you mean?

Ms. Mendez: All throughout. Depending on… Iyong personality based, sir, ‘yung release ng court ‘di ba?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I will check on that, okay? We can check on that. Please.

Mr. Ramos: Now that you have said that Secretary Judy and Secretary Paeng are safe for now at least doon sa position nila—

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I said, I did not say they were safe. I said that I—

Mr. Ramos: That they’re still, they’re still in the Cabinet.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: They’re still Cabinet. Yes. Okay. I think those are two different things, okay?

Mr. Ramos: So are you okay meeting with somebody who were at least recommended or identified with a terrorist organization?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Am I comfortable with that?

Mr. Ramos: Yes, the Cabinet, the Duterte administration. You have in your midst somebody who was appointed — was recommended by a terrorist organization.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Then we will simply have to go through the process until things are resolved.

Mr. Morong: Until such time that the court cancels the bail, doon pa lang tayo makakapag-aresto ng mga NDF consultants, correct, sir?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Procedurally, yes.

Mr. Morong: So, right now, if there is no bail, cancellation of bail from any court, we cannot arrest them?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: As terrorist you mean?

Mr. Morong: Sir, as pronounced by the President. Kasi, sir, ‘pag sinabi ninyong as terrorist, are we filing another case of violation–?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: No, no. This simply… It’s a reversal—

Mr. Morong: Cancellation of bail?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Cancellation.

Mr. Morong: So, sir, kung wala pang naka-cancel na bail, hindi pa sila pwedeng arestuhin, tama?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: That is a legal procedure. We will refer to ES. Okay.

Mr. Morong: Thank you.

Ms. Novenario: Sir, kasi ngayong umaga po ay may kumalat na text message na diumanoy may mga aktibidad na pinaplano ‘yung mga pro-ouster po ni President Duterte sa anibersaryo po ng EDSA People Power I Revolution at ang panawagan po nila ay alinsunod daw po doon sa mga nagaganap na extrajudicial killings at pagpapatalsik po kay Presidente Duterte. Ano po ‘yung masasabi ng Palasyo rito?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Marami pong balitang kumakalat na ganoon. So let us just proceed with lives normally.

Thank you very much.

— END —

Presidential Communications Office

Presidential News Desk

PRESS BRIEFING BY

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON

ERNESTO BELLA

WITH

SECRETARY

DELFIN LORENZANA

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

[Press Briefing Room, New Executive Building | 07 February 2016]

The amounts will be ranging from 5,000 to 300,000, which can be accessed by entrepreneurs, 26 percent per annum with no collateral requirements.

Also, a Japanese bank is bullish on the Philippines. We are pleased by the bullish outlook expressed by the Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., Japan’s largest bank on the Philippine economy.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Let’s go by what Sec. Martin said.

Ms. Ranada: Sir, no more other details, aside from that one line?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Except that he said that he feels whatever — any 72-year-old feels. So let’s go by that, nothing dramatic.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: So your question is?

Ms. Ranada: Has he been made aware of the interest his statements about his health generate?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: He is generally aware of the interest that his statements made.

Ms. Ranada: Has he been told the consequences of him making jokes like that, about his health?

But, yes, he is generally aware of the interest that his statements make. Next question, please. Thank you.

Mr. Ranada: So, sir, was there any checkup done yesterday. Categorically, checkup or not?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, like I said, categorically, let’s go by what Sec. Martin said, okay.

Ms. Ranada: But it was very vague, sir.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: It was very?

Ms. Ranada: It’s a very vague… I mean just a story.

Mr. Morong: There was no checkup?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I will not say those things. All I’m saying is that, let’s go by what Sec. Martin said, all right, thank you.

Cai Ordinario (Business Mirror): Sir, just want to ask regarding the tax…

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Regarding the tax…

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Okay, I think that question will be better answered by Sec. Sonny Dominguez, whom we expect to be here sometime this week or next week, okay, all right.

Ms. Ordinario: Sir, also regarding the Cabinet meeting later, what will be the agenda?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I don’t have the list here right now. But it’s household duty—household keeping, household keeping.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think that can be better addressed after this—this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting. Okay, thank you.

Mr. Bencito: Okay, sir, kasama po siya sa agenda, sir?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Kasama siya si?

Mr. Bencito: Kasama ‘yung mining sa agenda?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think she’ll be…Either she’s part of it already or there’ll come under other matters.

Mr. Bencito: Okay, sir, last na lang po, ‘yung balik lang ako sa peace talks. Sir, there were agreements that were signed during the third round of peace talks.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Yes.

Mr. Bencito: Will we honor ‘yung mga lahat ng napirmahan doon sa third round?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Again, that should be referred to the Cabinet meeting this afternoon, thank you.

Mr. Bencito: Thank you, sir.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Those are matters have greater importance than my opinion, thank you.

Rosalie Coz (UNTV): Peace talks rin po, sir, good afternoon po.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Yes.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Hindi pa po.

Mr. Morong: Sir, short question. Iyon pong peace talks, pag-uusapan sa Cab meeting later ‘no?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: I think it will be — may be touched on, yes.

Mr. Morong: Sir, itong declaration ni President na he’s terminating the peace talks? How is this going to affect the status of the left-leaning Cabinet members?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, as Sec. Del said, as far as we are concerned, up to this point, they are part of the Cabinet.

Mr. Morong: Okay. Sir, last one. If you’re going to rearrest sila Tiamzon and all the other consultants, what’s going to be the basis?

So basically this is now under the jurisdiction of the courts.

So the DOJ will be the one to invoke the court to cancel bail.

Ms. Salaverria: Sir, the President said he could resume the peace talks if there’s a compelling reason.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: He did mention something like that, yes.

Ms. Salaverria: What does he have in mind? What could these compelling reasons be that would prompt him to–?

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: It will have to come from him whatever the compelling reason will be.

But definitely, it will have to be matters that have to do with the interest of the nation.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: Well, those are details that will have to be discussed. Okay. It’s a general picture.

What the President has given is a general picture that he considers them as terrorist groups. All the other details will have to follow.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON ABELLA: They were released. I don’t know…In other words, they were recognized as people who could… [How do you put it?] They were able to gain status to be able to negotiate with the GRP. Okay?
So that’s why they were able to go and they were given provisional conduct passes and they were able to join.