Duterte appeals again to state forces: Don’t stage coup

HALFWAY through his six-year term, President Rodrigo on Tuesday, July 2, appealed again to state forces not to stage a coup d’etat.

In a speech during the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force in Pasay City, Duterte reiterated that he would voluntarily give up the country’s highest post should the military and the police express dissatisfaction over his performance.

“I know that the armed forces and the police will have to decide one day somehow. Do not do it please during my term,” the President said.

“I told you before, all you have to do kung ayaw ninyo ako, do not bring your weapons and mechanized armors there. Just call me and we’ll have coffee and I am ready to say, ‘It’s yours for the taking,’” he added.

The President was worried that the supposed rampant corruption in government might prompt the military and police to launch a coup d’etat against him.

His plea was made after critics raised the possibility of impeachment proceedings over his alleged failure to protect Philippine waters from China.

It was in September 2018 that Duterte first urged the state forces to just talk to him if they think he no longer deserves the presidency, instead of attempting to stage a “stupid” mutiny against his administration.

The President, in his latest speech, admitted that while he “succeed[ed]” in some of his plans for the country, he “failed” in other things “because of distraction.”

As the country’s Chief Executive, Duterte vowed that he would contnue to fulfill his “sacred” duty to protect the Filipino people and preserve the integrity of the nation.

“The people of the Philippines elected me. There is no need for men to be closer than what is really normal in your hearts. I just love my country and I do my duty kasi hindi lahat nagiging presidente (because not everyone can be President). Not every man is lucky enough to reach the presidency,” Duterte said.

“Nandito na tayo sa gitna. You are in the — maybe few chapters away. Pero ako, nandiyan na ako sa (I am already in the) prologue or I would say, in the last pages where we sometimes, in our thoughts, ‘yung extra blank diyan (the extra blank there),” he added.