Debunking the Narrative on PRRD's Link to the Leftist

 

🧱 1. PRRD’s Strong Anti-Communist Stance

🔹 Creation of NTF-ELCAC (2018):

• Duterte created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) through Executive Order No. 70.

• Its purpose: to end the 50+ years of insurgency by the CPP-NPA-NDF through a Whole-of-Nation Approach, combining military action, local government engagement, and socio-economic development.

“We will not let the communist insurgency continue to thrive in our country. It has to stop now.” – PRRD

🔹 Declaration of CPP-NPA as Terrorist Organizations:

• Duterte signed Proclamation No. 374 on December 5, 2017, declaring the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization under the Human Security Act.

• He consistently rejected calls for negotiation with the CPP-NPA when they continued armed violence.

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🛡️ 2. Consistent Offensive Against the NPA

• Under Duterte, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched intensive military campaigns that led to:

  • Dismantling of 75 guerilla fronts

  • Surrender of over 25,000 former rebels

  • Neutralization of hundreds of high-ranking CPP-NPA commanders

“Let’s be clear, communism is an obsolete ideology. It has brought nothing but death and destruction.” – Duterte (State of the Nation Address, 2020)

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🔥 3. Broken Peace Talks Due to NPA Attacks

• Although Duterte initially attempted peace talks (as several presidents did), he terminated them in 2017 after repeated NPA ambushes on government forces and civilians, especially during ceasefire periods.

• He emphasized that trust was broken and that the CPP-NPA-NDF was insincere in pursuing peace.

“We were talking peace, but they were killing my soldiers and police. I don’t deal with traitors.” – PRRD

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👥 4. No Political or Ideological Alignment With the Left

• While he allowed left-leaning individuals into his Cabinet early on (e.g., Judy Taguiwalo, Rafael Mariano), this was in line with his inclusive governance style, not ideological alignment.

• These individuals were later removed or not reappointed due to policy disagreements and alleged links to communist front organizations.

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📢 5. Consistent Condemnation of CPP-NPA in Speeches

• Duterte repeatedly condemned the CPP-NPA in his speeches, even calling Jose Maria Sison a "delusional terrorist" and challenging him to return to the Philippines.

• He accused the NPA of exploiting indigenous peoples, using children as combatants, and destroying communities.

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✅ Conclusion

Rodrigo Duterte is not a leftist.

• His administration implemented the most aggressive anti-communist policies in recent Philippine history.

• The NTF-ELCAC, the terrorist designation of CPP-NPA, and military offensives under his leadership all prove his unwavering opposition to communist ideology and insurgency.

Any narrative claiming he is leftist is either based on misinformation, misinterpretation of early cabinet appointments, or intentional political distortion.

Debunking the Misconception: Rodrigo Roa Duterte as a Leftist

In recent years, various political narratives have emerged attempting to portray former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) as aligned with leftist ideology or sympathetic to communist insurgent groups. This claim, however, stands in direct contradiction to Duterte’s policies, public statements, and actions during his term as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. A factual examination reveals that PRRD, rather than exhibiting leftist leanings, spearheaded one of the most aggressive campaigns against the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP–NPA–NDF) in the country’s history.

1. Creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)

Through Executive Order No. 70, signed in December 2018, President Duterte institutionalized the Whole-of-Nation Approach in addressing communist insurgency. The order created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), designed to synchronize government efforts across all levels in combatting communist terrorism, not merely through military operations, but also via social services, infrastructure, education, and livelihood programs. This strategic framework demonstrated Duterte's commitment to a holistic and sustainable approach in defeating the CPP-NPA-NDF.

2. Designation of CPP-NPA as Terrorist Organizations

On December 5, 2017, President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 374, formally designating the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations under the Human Security Act of 2007. This marked a significant policy shift from prior administrations that engaged primarily through peace negotiations. By this designation, Duterte underscored the government's position that the CPP-NPA's violent activities constituted acts of terrorism, not legitimate political dissent.

3. Termination of Peace Talks with the Communist Movement

While Duterte initially engaged in peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDF—consistent with longstanding government policy—he ultimately terminated the talks in November 2017. This decision followed a series of NPA-perpetrated attacks on state security forces and civilians during declared ceasefire periods. Duterte cited the group’s duplicity and continued armed aggression as key reasons for ending the dialogue, stating, “We were talking peace, but they were killing my soldiers and police. I don’t deal with traitors.”

4. Massive Counterinsurgency Campaign and Neutralization of Guerilla Fronts

Under Duterte’s administration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with the NTF-ELCAC, dismantled a significant number of guerilla fronts and facilitated the surrender of thousands of former rebels. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, over 25,000 rebels surrendered, and more than 75 guerilla fronts were neutralized. Former insurgents were reintegrated into society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), further emphasizing Duterte’s non-alignment with leftist causes.

5. Rejection of Leftist Cabinet Appointees and Ideological Disconnect

Early in his term, Duterte appointed several left-leaning individuals to his Cabinet as a gesture of inclusivity. However, these appointees, such as Judy Taguiwalo (DSWD) and Rafael Mariano (DA), were later removed or not reappointed due to policy disagreements and their perceived affiliations with organizations linked to communist ideology. These developments reveal that Duterte’s openness to diverse perspectives did not equate to ideological alliance or sympathy.

6. Public Condemnation of Communist Leadership

Duterte repeatedly denounced CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison and other communist leaders in his speeches. He accused them of perpetuating decades of violence and hindering national development. At one point, he challenged Sison to return to the Philippines and face trial, calling him a “delusional terrorist” and labeling the CPP-NPA-NDF as "obsolete and destructive."

The notion that President Rodrigo Duterte is a leftist is fundamentally inconsistent with his policy decisions, national security directives, and public pronouncements. While he once explored peaceful avenues to end the communist insurgency, his eventual stance was marked by a clear, strategic, and forceful opposition to the CPP-NPA-NDF. Far from being a sympathizer, Duterte's administration mounted the most significant anti-communist campaign in recent history, ultimately contributing to the dismantling of insurgent structures and the reintegration of thousands of former rebels into mainstream society.

Thus, claims painting PRRD as a leftist are not only misleading but also undermine the sacrifices made by state security forces and former rebels who embraced peace through his administration's initiatives.

References

Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2020). DILG: Over 75 NPA guerrilla fronts neutralized under Duterte administration. Retrieved from https://www.dilg.gov.ph

Duterte, R. R. (2017). Press conference, November 2017. Malacañang Palace.

Mella, M. (2017). Duterte orders termination of peace talks with communist rebels. The Philippine Star. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com

Office of the President. (2018). Executive Order No. 70. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Republic of the Philippines. (2017). Proclamation No. 374. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Ramos, P. (2019). Duterte slams Sison as ‘delusional terrorist’ during speech in Bataan. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://www.mb.com.ph