Duterte to military: Mount mutiny with Trillanes if you’re dissatisfied with me

President Duterte on Tuesday challenged the military to go with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and mount a mutiny if they are no longer satisfied with his leadership.

The President said soldiers may join Trillanes if they think he was “not competent” to lead the country and the senator was the “brightest military man.”

“Iyong kayong may nakita at nakita ninyong may gawa, may ginawa si Trillanes para sa inyo [If you see Trillanes has done something for you] go to him and stage a mutiny or revolution or whatever. You are free to do that. As a matter of fact, I am encouraging you parataposna,” Duterte said over government television.

“Kung tingnan ninyo mga sundalo na mas mabuti si Trillanes pati si Aquino, please kindly go to them and stage whatever you want. Pakita mo sa buong Pilipinas na kaya ninyo [If the soldiers think Trillanes and Aquino are better, please kindly go to them and stage whatever you want. Show the Philippines that you can do it],” he added.

Duterte, however, frowned on any violent military overthrow of the government that would lead to the death of troops. He said he would not allow soldiers and policemen to kill one another.

“If the Armed Forces think that I am not competent, that I am not qualified to be sitting here as President, I have discussed this matter with them in a command conference. Bahala kayo (It’s up to you),” he said.

“If you want another President, fine. I will not allow you to fight your own soldiers...I would not allow my soldiers to kill another soldier or a policeman shooting another soldier. Eh, kalokohan ‘yan,” he said.

The President issued the statement after warning of an alleged ouster plot by Trillanes, the Liberal Party, and the communist rebels against his administration. The power grab plot was reportedly being hatched in time for the martial law anniversary this month and switch to high gear on October.

Duterte said there was a “loose conspiracy” among these groups based on intelligence information provided by a foreign country. He said he would ask such communication information be “declassified” and shown to the public.

Duterte later cautioned the soldiers against forging an alliance with Magdalo, a group led by Trillanes in mounting failed military uprisings during the Arroyo administration.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa sundalo sa Republikang Pilipinas (I’m telling the soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines): Just be careful. Just be careful na ‘yung pagsabwatan niyo diyan sa Magdalo. Because – Magdalo is not all in agreement in membership to destabilize or overthrow the government,” he said.

The President also maintained that unlike him, Trillanes has done nothing to improve the plight of soldiers. He said Trillanes did not even visit the government troops fighting terrorists in Marawi.

“Nandiyan kana sa gobyerno, anoginawa mo?Anong ginawa mo maski konti na nakatulong sa sundalo (You are in government, what did you do? What have you done to help the soldiers)?” he asked Trillanes. “You never really cared for the poor soldier,” he added.

In contrast to Trillanes, Duterte said he has implemented measures to promote the welfare of soldiers, including doubling their salary and upgrading their weapons and other equipment.

“I doubled the salary, I doubled it long before Marawi. It was a campaign promise and I complied,” he said.

“Ako binigyan ko kayo lahat ng firearms. Kasi walang fixed bayonet ngayon. Lahat ng sundalo binigyan ko (I gave firearms to all soldiers. Fixed bayonet is already obsolete),” he added.

Duterte had earlier revoked the amnesty given to Trillanes for two coup attempts and ordered his prosecution and detention.