Palace to supposed ouster plotters: We know who you are
September 20, 2016 | 4:31pm
MANILA, Philippines -- We know who you are.
This was Malacañang's warning to those whom it said are seeking to remove President Rodrigo Duterte from office next year.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the administration has identified the people behind the supposed plot, which is allegedly being hatched by Filipino Americans.
“We are aware of this and we have names, I’ve received names but I’m not going to mention it because, you know, I was also a journalist and we might be charged with libel,” Andanar said in a press briefing Tuesday.
“We have names. We know who they are. We are studying it. The warning is: Just be careful in what you plan because it’s against the law,” he added.
Andanar declined to provide any clue on the identities of the people who are allegedly plotting Duterte’s ouster. He, however, maintained that the information was provided by “credible sources.”
“We are looking into it very seriously,” Andanar said.
“It should be serious for the entire nation. For the 91 percent of the Filipinos who trust the president. Remember that the president was also voted with over 16 million votes.”
Andanar is optimistic that any attempt to oust Duterte will fail.
“We have to confirm, we have to vet, but whatever they’re planning, just think twice because it is not lawful when you bring down a government. And rest assured that we will protect our president,” he said.
He did not give details of the supposed plot.
On Monday, Andanar claimed that some Filipino-Americans are seeking to remove Duterte from office by January 2017. He cited information relayed by a fellow Cabinet member, who allegedly received reports about the ouster plot in New York.
Duterte has drawn flak from local and international human rights groups for the spate of drug-related killings in the country. About 3,000 suspected drug personalities have been killed since the president assumed office on June 30.
The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have expressed concerns over the killings and have called on the Philippines to uphold human rights.
Duterte was unfazed by the statements, saying his bloody war on illegal drugs would continue until the last drug pusher is arrested or killed.
LP: No plot to oust Duterte
In his previous speeches, Duterte said he is putting at stake his life, honor, and presidency for his crackdown on narcotics. According to him, he does not mind losing the presidency as failure to curb the drug problem would compromise the future of the next generation.
Duterte has also alleged that “yellows” are out to discredit him so he would be removed from office. The president was referring to the supporters of former President Benigno Aquino III, who backed the failed presidential bid of Manuel Roxas II.
Duterte claimed that the criticisms against his anti-drug war are part of the effort to impeach him.
Aquino’s allies at the Liberal Party have denied plotting an impeachment case against Duterte, saying such a move would not gain the support of the public. The administration has a 'supermajority' at the House of Representatives, meaning no impeachment complaint will get enough votes to prosper.
The LP suffered a thinning of its ranks near the May elections as members jumped to other political parties, including the administration PDP-Laban party.
The party has aligned with the majority blocs in both Houses of Congress.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who holds the highest elected position among LP members, has denied the existence of an LP plot and has said that the country will not benefit from more instability.
“I always ask the people to support the president. Even if we have different stand on issues it’s not a reason not to support him because the success of the Duterte administration is also the success of the entire nation,” she said this week.
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