Duterte fires interior minister after ‘corruption’ row

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has fired the interior minister, his spokesman said yesterday as infighting and corruption allegations rock his government.

Ismael Sueno, who supervised Duterte’s war on drugs that has left thousandsdead,wasfiredonthespot at a cabinet meeting late Monday, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“The summary dismissal served as a warning that Mr. Duterte would not countenance any questionable or legally untenable decisions by any member of the cabinet,” Abella added.

He did not say what these decisions were, but added the sacking formed part of Duterte’s “dr ive for a t rus twor thy government by addressing issues like corruption”.

In a statement issued Monday, hours before his sacking, Sueno, 69, vigorously denied any involvement in corruption, blaming other followers of Duterte for circulating such allegations against him.

“My advocacy against corruption has been strong. My belief is the same as President Duterte in fighting this. So this accusation against me is impossible,” said Sueno, a former provincial governor and city mayor.

Sueno said he was being badmouthed by three junior ministers in the Department of the Interior and Local Government, l ike him also appointed by Duterte.

Asked if Sueno might face further charges, Abella told reporters: “Let us wait for the president to take his subsequent actions.”

Sueno’s sacking comes a month after Perfecto Yasay left his post as foreign minister after Congress ruled that he lied to them over his US citizenship. — AFP