‘Red October’ plot no more – Lorenzana
“Red October,” an alleged massive connivance of communist rebels with various opposition groups to oust President Duterte, has been "dissolved," the Department of National Defense said yesterday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the plot was dissolved because it was uncovered and made public, prompting the groups allegedly involved not to push through with it.
"Wala na, hindi na natuloy 'yan kasi nabuking sila eh," Lorenzana said. "There was a, we got a document really stating nakalagay doon ‘Red October.’ Eh noong ilabas 'yun ng AFP eh nag-ano eh. Kasi initially mayroong mga kumpul-kumpol na grupo pero noong mabisto nagkalasan na kaya hindi na matutuloy," he added.
President Duterte first raised the possibility last month that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes, and the “Yellows,” apparently referring to the Liberal Party, have been conniving to oust him from power.
The military confirmed there was a plot to destabilize the government but AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. later cleared the Liberal Party and Trillanes from the supposed ouster plan. The military also tagged cause-oriented groups Tindig Pilipinas, Block Marcos, and CFJ or the group that supports former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, among others.
Earlier this month, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, said the CPP had been recruiting members in at least 18 schools in Metro Manila, resulting into a meeting between the Philippine National Police and Commission on Higher Education to plan a dialogue between the AFP-PNP and school administrators, not only in Metro Manila, but also in the provinces as well.
Lorenzana said they have to verify if the ouster plot was just shelved and would soon be relaunched in the following months.
For now, Lorenzana said the public should enjoy the joyous Holiday season. "Wala na 'yang Red October na 'yan, lusaw na. White Christmas siguro kasi Pasko na eh," Lorenzana said.