‘Military will not stage a coup’ – Duterte

President Duterte is optimistic the military is unlikely to stage a coup attempt against his administration due to apparent concern on who would take over the reins of government.

The President said while he recognized the soldiers’ love for country, they seemed to worry if he would be replaced by his opponents.

“The military will not hold a coup d’etat against me. Well, maybe they’ll say they’ll worry about who will be the one to replace me because they are afraid about the situation of the Philippines,” he said in Bisaya during the administration’s campaign rally in Cebu City Sunday night.

Duterte said he has advised the military against allowing opposition figures to take over in case they decide to overthrow his government.

He argued that it was foolish to give power to the enemies of the leaders the military deposed, citing the past military-backed revolutions against former presidents.

“I already told them: the thing about you is that you will hold a revolution. The police. And after you win, you give way for the opposing party. What kind of foolishness is that?” he said.

“Just like with Cory and Estrada. What’s the point of… What kind of party are you to hold a coup d’etat only to give way for the opposition? It would be the same situation because everyone involved are foolish. It’s politics,” he added.

Early this month, the President urged the military to drop politicians and instead choose young leaders to run the government if the soldiers revolt against the government. He said the young leaders should be given good salary and be rewarded for their efforts.

Duterte previously said the military was free to overthrow him if they were no longer satisfied with his performance.